Seven people died and at least two dozen more poisoned in Russia after being told by doctors to “swallow battery fluid” before having x-rays at St. Petersburg’s Municipal Diagnostic Center No. 1 clinic.
The New York Post cites a report from Russian newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets, who spoke to pathologist Zhanna Shmidt. According to Shmidt, the clinic dissolved an uncertified powder and dissolved it in water.
“What they received was actually battery fluid. This is not a metaphor – it’s how it was. Car batteries also contain barium salts,” the expert told the outlet. “As I understand it, this technical powder was sold for some kind of laboratory research and not for oral use.”
Doctors told the patients to swallow the solution before undergoing x-rays of the stomach, esophagus, and intestine. The victims began experiencing symptoms immediately after, with four passing away less than 12 hours later.
Alexey Tsaryov, 42, complained to doctors while drinking the solution, according to his wife, Alexandra, 38. He told them “he felt dizzy, and his eyes went dark,” but was told the side effects were typical. He was admitted back to the hospital after he began vomiting and passed away.
Other victims family members told the outlet their loved ones experienced similar symptoms.
Dr. Yevgeny Popov was detained under suspicion of causing death by negligence and providing services that did not meet the required standards. The incident is now under investigation by Russia’s Investigative Committee.
