Manama: Four Saudi children died in Iran after they reportedly inhaled chemical poison at a hotel where they were staying with their parents.

At least 18 other people had to be taken to hospital in the northern city of Mashhad, but they are believed to be in a stable condition.

A source close to the family said the poison infiltrated the hotel rooms through the air-conditioning ducts.

Medical reports from the hospital seemed to confirm the chemical poison was the cause of the children’s death, Saudi daily Okaz reported on Monday.

The results of the investigation launched by the Iranian authorities have not been published yet.

The Saudi family from Al Qateef governorate decided on Friday to travel to the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, home to the mausoleum of Ali Mousa Reza, the eighth imam for most Shiites.

The poisoning occurred on Sunday, killing Haydar Ali Qasim, Husain Ali Al Awami, and siblings Hassan Abdul Gani Al Fakher and Deema Abdul Gani Al Fakher, the source said. The siblings’ parents and brother are being treated at the hospital. One report said the families had complained about a foul smell in their fourth-floor rooms, but no action had been taken.

Acting General Consul Abdullah Al Hamrani said that his services were in constant contacts with the Iranian authorities regarding the deadly incident.

He said that they were still waiting for the medical reports that will formally identify the cause of death and the status of the patients.

The Saudi consulate was informed about the drama soon after it happened and its staff sought to provide all services to the families.

Al Hamrani said that he was not yet sure about what caused the deaths and whether they were related to food poisoning or any other type of poisoning.

He added that the consulate had set up a hotline to communicate with the victims’ families.

The hotel where the deaths occurred has been reportedly closed and the surviving Saudis had been transferred to another hotel, he said.

The four children will be buried in Iran in accordance with the wishes of their families, the consul said.