Moscow horror as three dead and over 40 in hospital after mystery mass poisoning

The Investigative Committee has now opened a criminal case following the mass poisonings as its feared the death toll may rise

At least three people have died and over 40 others have been rushed to hospital after a mass poisoning in Moscow.

A major investigation was launched following the incident at a Russian boarding house in the Moscow region town of Vidnoye. Food, kitchenware and other samples have all been taken.

A criminal case has since been opened into the mystery poisonings amid fears that the death toll may rise above three.

The boarding house had 73 residents at the time of the incident with 55 being initially assessed on site. According to a post from the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Moscow Region, they said: "Investigative actions are underway in the Moscow Region as part of a criminal investigation into the poisoning of boarding house guests.

"Investigative bodies of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Moscow Region continue their investigation into the mass poisoning of boarding house guests in the city of Vidnoye (Clause "c" of Part 2 of Article 238 of the Russian Criminal Code).

"It was established that 73 people were staying at the boarding house. More than 40 people were hospitalized in varying degrees of severity, and three died.

"Investigators and forensic experts from the regional Investigative Committee of Russia inspected the boarding house, seized necessary documentation, and collected food samples and utensils.

"Representatives from Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) collected food samples, which have been assigned for further testing.

"Currently interrogations are being conducted with the institution's management, as well as with residents, to establish the reasons and conditions that contributed to the commission of the crime."