Three persons, including a woman, were discovered dead in a room at the under construction of the Institute of Science and Bio Resource (ISBR) at the New Shillong Township, last evening.
The victims, identified as Sheba Kharbani (40), a cleaner at the institute, Rupert Donbor Dohtdong (43), a security guard and Backstar Kharkrang (30), an electrician engaged by the ISBR.
The discovery was made after a foul smell was reported emanating from the rooms.
The crime scene unit and forensic team examined the room to gather evidence found mushrooms. After the initial autopsy report, the authorities ruled out foul play.
Police said the post-mortem examination, conducted at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, confirmed that the three persons died due to mushroom poisoning. It was revealed that they had collected wild mushrooms from the nearby forest and consumed them after cooking on June 6.
Cases of mushroom poisoning are not uncommon in Meghalaya where people may not be able to identify poisonous mushrooms. The state’s diverse flora and abundant mushroom varieties with the lack of knowledge can increase the risk of accidental consumption of toxic mushrooms, leading to severe health consequences.
