Thirteen members of the identical household in Namibia have died after consuming suspected poisonous porridge, the nation's state broadcaster has mentioned.

Another 4 persons are in a important situation in hospital, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) reported.

NBC, quoting the well being ministry, mentioned no less than 20 individuals consumed the "poisonous or toxic" porridge after it was blended with a fermented substance left over from a do-it-yourself alcoholic drink.

The victims, who had been from the Kavango East area within the far northeast of the southern African nation, ranged in age from two to 33, NBC mentioned.

Most of those that died had been kids and are reported to have been "in desperate need of food", AfricaInformation mentioned on its web site.

NBC, quoting the well being ministry, mentioned the meal was ready with pearl millet flour and fermented sediment derived from a do-it-yourself beverage.

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An investigation has been launched and a staff of counsellors has been despatched by the ministry to supply psychological assist to the grieving household, AfricaInformation mentioned.

It acknowledged that samples of the porridge have been despatched to neighbouring South Africa for testing.

Content Source: information.sky.com