France, June 23 -- Health authorities were on Monday awaiting further tests on meat samples from several butchers following an outbreak of E coli food poisoning in northern France that has killed a 12-year-old girl and affected 17 other children.

Health Minister Yannick Neuder confirmed on Sunday that E coli was behind the outbreak around Saint-Quentin, some 80km south of Lille.

"An initial series of tests determined that it is E coli," said Neuder. "There will be a second round of tests this week at the Pasteur Institute to continue the investigation and establish the causal link."

Authorities have deployed more than 30 investigators in the region to trace the chain of contamination.

"Tests are underway to establish a definitive link...