Death toll rises in food poisoning at funeral wake

The number of people killed by suspected poisoned food after a wake in the Ayacucho region of southern Peru has risen to ten.

The health minister said she suspected the food had come into contact with insecticide.

Local hospitals said 21 people were in a serious condition. About 50 people attended the wake of a local man where a meat stew believed to be the source of the intoxication was served.

Specialists who have travelled to the affected district of San José de Ushua said they would need to carry out further tests to be sure. Regional health director John Tinco Bautista said many of those who attended the wake began falling ill within hours.

Among the fatalities are the dead man’s two eldest sons.