Sanja Bahadur Syangtan, 62, his daughter-in-law Phulmaya Syangtan, 28, seven-year-old granddaughter Sabita, and grandsons Ramesh, 5, Anil, 2, Arjun, 5, died after consuming the food. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Prakash Malla, chief of the District Police Office Dhading, three people were declared dead at Megha Hospital in the Capital.   

Of the 15 people referred to Kathmandu for treatment, four are receiving care at Shiva Jyoti Hospital, Balkhu, while the rest have been admitted to Manmohan Memorial Hospital, Swoyambhu.

According to Dr Ram Prasad Shrestha, medical director of Manmohan Memorial Hospital, six of the 11 patients are in the intensive care unit. One is said to be in critical condition.

Tragedy struck the Syangtan family when they ate chapatis made by grinding wheat seeds preserved with pesticide.

The poisonous wheat did not only affect the Syangtans but the owner of the grinding mill too.

Eight family members and two relatives of the owner of the watermill, Tilak Bahadur Tamang, are still unconscious.

The incident occurred 22 kilometres from Gajuri on the Prithvi Highway. DSP Malla said the police are looking into the matter.