SUNDAY TIMES WEB DESK:Twenty-two people at the privately operated Cheneraie residence in Lherm, a town south of Toulouse, began showing symptoms including vomiting after dinner on Sunday, police said.
Officials initially announced four deaths, and a source close to the investigation later told media that a fifth person had died.
The victims – four women and a man – were aged between 72 and 95.
Toulouse prosecutor said 19 of the 82 residents remained under supervision, 16 of whom were in very poor condition although their lives were not thought to be in danger.
Prosecutors said investigations into apparent cases of “involuntary homicide and unintentional injury” would be lengthy, and underscored the “serious” nature of the affair.