The Public Prosecution announced details of the investigations regarding the death of six children and their father in Deir Mawas, Minya Governorate. Forensic medicine and chemical lab reports revealed that the cause of death was poisoning by a highly toxic insecticide called “Chlorfenapyr,” which causes collapse of the body’s thermal regulation and failure of vital organs leading to death. Its traces were found in samples taken from the deceased bodies.

Chlorfenapyr is a type of insecticide used in Egypt for agricultural pest control. It is a rare compound with no known antidote and does not appear in standard blood tests, which confused doctors during the crisis.

Its main symptoms include abdominal cramps, vomiting, impaired consciousness, and it may lead to coma due to respiratory system effects, ultimately causing death. It is difficult to detect.

Timeline of events:
1- In July, two children from Delga village in Minya suffered severe fatigue, high fever, and continuous vomiting, deteriorated, and died.
2- Hours later, two other siblings also became ill and died.
3- Questions arose about the mysterious case, especially after the father and two other children fell ill and died in hospital days later.
4- Many rumors spread about a mysterious disease or toxic infection.
5- On July 19, the Ministry of Health formed a committee from the Preventive Medicine sector to conduct field investigations fearing an epidemic.
6- Results showed no infectious diseases, including viral or bacterial meningitis, and environmental tests confirmed water samples met standards.
7- On July 22, the bodies of the first two deceased children were exhumed for sample testing.
8- On July 26, the Public Prosecution announced it was investigating after forensic reports revealed insecticide traces in the children’s samples, ordering rapid criminal investigations.
9- Tightening the investigation and reviewing surveillance footage revealed the perpetrator was the stepmother.
10- Upon arrest, the stepmother confessed fully to the crime.