Mumbai: The condition of majority of the 265 suspected food poisoning patients, including 33 children and 24 women, besides several Congress-NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) workers, was improving while the ten critical patients will be kept under observation for a couple of days, hospital sources today (Oct 14, 2004) said.

A total of 265 persons were admitted to various city hospitals till late last night (Oct 13, 2004) for suspected food poisoning after they consumed sweetmeats allegedly distributed by unidentified persons.

"The condition of the patients was stable and a majority of them will be discharged today," J J Hospital Dean P H Shingare said.

However, the ten critical patients will be under observation for a couple of days, he said adding, around 17 patients were discharged in the afternoon.

While 172 persons, including 12 children and 15 women were admitted to J J hospital 93 patients including 21 children were admitted to Nair Hospital.

"There were no serious cases in Nair hospital and mostly they would be discharged by this evening or tomorrow morning," Nair Hospital dean Dr Geeta Koppikar said.

The samples of fluid vomited by the victims and the remaining sweet samples were sent to the forensic lab at suburban Kalina and report awaited, sources said.

Unidentified persons distributed sweets to Congress and NCP workers outside the polling booths, who consumed them along with family members and neighbouring shopkeepers, in minority-dominated areas of Nagpada, Kamatipura area.