More than 500 ill after eating bánh mì in Vietnam

More than 500 people have fallen ill and been taken to hospital after eating bánh mì sandwiches from a shop in southern Vietnam.

Twelve of them, including two boys between six and seven, are in critical condition. 

They are believed to have suspected food poisoning. Symptoms included diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and severe abdominal pains.

On Monday, authorities confirmed at least 560 people had fallen ill after eating the sandwiches from Bang bakery in Long Khanh city on 30 April.

So far 200 people have been discharged. 

The bakery has been temporarily shut down. An initial inspection revealed it did not meet food safety standards. It’s believed the sandwiches may have been spoilt as a result of the current heatwave. 

The number of cases of suspected food poisoning has steadily risen each day, according to local hospital reports. The bakery sells around 1,100 bánh mì sandwiches every day, according to local authorities.