Police carried out intensive searches at a Larnaca house on Monday, where a 78-year-old man died, and four people were hospitalised after consuming water from a water cooler.
Members of Larnaca’s CID unit and YKAN seized several pieces of evidence from the property, as investigators awaited State Chemistry results on the water expected within the day.
The searches focused on the area where the deceased man’s son lived. The son was arrested on 28 December for possession of hard drugs and remains in custody.
Investigators are examining whether drugs were present in the water cooler or whether another toxic substance contaminated it. Both scenarios remain open, police sources said.
An autopsy on the 78-year-old was scheduled to start at 11 am at Nicosia General Hospital’s mortuary.
Four people remain hospitalised in serious condition. A 78-year-old neighbour is intubated and comatose. The deceased man’s wife, 73, and two relatives are in serious but stable condition. Two of the patients received antidote treatment for poisoning.
The incident began on Saturday when the 73-year-old wife put water in the cooler and drank lemonade, according to police sources. She felt unwell and was taken to Larnaca General Hospital, where her condition was deemed serious.
Her husband returned home and was found dead hours later by a relative, who informed police. Officers found no external injuries on the body and began investigating a sudden death.
On Sunday lunchtime, relatives and neighbours gathered at the house. The deceased man’s sister, niece, and an elderly neighbour felt unwell and were immediately taken to the hospital.