HARBIN, Jan. 20 -- A suspected food poisoning in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has killed three people and left 13 more hospitalized, local authorities said late Monday.

A total of 16 people sought medical treatment on Sunday and Monday after having a wedding banquet in a village in the city of Jixi on Saturday, the city government said in a statement.

Three died after medical treatment failed and one was still not out of danger. The rest 12 are in critical condition.

Health authorities have sealed samples of food and drinks at the banquet for tests and the investigation results are to be released.