27/02/2026
*SUKKUR* (*SAFWU Sindh*): *Child Fatalities After Drinking Water from a Pesticide Bottle*
The Sindh Agriculture and Fishing Workers Union (SAFWU) has taken serious notice of a tragic incident in which five children, including three brothers, lost their lives after consuming contaminated water in Menho Khan Chhijjan village, located in Mirpur Mathelo, District Ghotki.
A SAFWU Sindh representative in Sukkur reported that the children had unknowingly drunk water from an empty bottle previously used for storing poisonous insecticide. Soon after consumption, their health rapidly deteriorated. Two children died on their way to Sukkur Hospital two days ago, one child passed away the following day, and the remaining two children died on Thursday.
The deceased children, aged between 7 and 9 years, were identified as Ayaz, his brother Allauddin, Muhammad Khan, Waqar, and Waseem Chhijjan. All of them belonged to the same village and were closely related.
According to family members, the children were playing in an open field where they poured water into an empty pesticide bottle that had earlier been used to kill insects. After drinking the water from the contaminated bottle, their condition worsened.
SAFWU Sindh has previously undertaken awareness and training initiatives on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) during the years 2015–2017 under the ILO GE4DE project. These programs focused on educating agricultural workers about the safe handling, use, and disposal of hazardous pesticides and empty bottles, and included the distribution of protective “Hari kits” for Agricultural workers.
However, there remains an urgent need to expand awareness among agricultural workers and local communities so that they can better protect themselves from hazardous chemicals and prevent such tragic incidents in the future. Every human life is invaluable and must be safeguarded above all else.
Asad Memon
President Safwu Sindh