4 Who Feared Eclipse Accidentally Poisoned

Four members of a family who cowered at home during last week’s solar eclipse, were found dead from what officials said Monday was accidental poisoning.

Elias Maillard’s wife and three children were found dead, and Maillard was hospitalized. Police officials said they died of an overdose of sleeping pills taken to alleviate their anxiety. But suffocation was also suspected because the family had plugged all openings to their home to block out the sun.

Thousands of Haitians had feared that the eclipse would blind or kill them - an exaggeration of the damage that can be done to unprotected eyes.