A Syrian woman was killed and her three children were in critical condition in the Balqarn governorate of the Asir province after having been exposed to toxic aluminum phosphide fumes on Thursday.

“A Syrian family was admitted to the Al-Olaya General Hospital in Balqarn for breathing difficulties after coming into contact with the deadly pesticide,” said Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, Beeshah Health Directorate spokesman. “They were unconscious on arrival at the hospital.”

He said that emergency measures, including artificial respiration, failed to help revive the woman, who continued to be in a severely critical condition until her death. Her three children are receiving treatment at the hospital’s intensive care unit, a local daily reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture has banned the use of the pesticide and officials are monitoring markets to penalize individuals who sell it illegally.