At least nine people died after allegedly consuming sanitiser in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh on Friday, police said.
Prakasam district Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kaushal, who visited Kurichedu mandal headquarters, said the people had been consuming sanitiser for the past few days, mixing it with water and soft drinks.
“We are also investigating whether they laced the sanitiser with any other toxic substances,” the SP said.
“Their family members say these people have been takinng sanitiser for the past ten days. We are sending the sanitiser stocks, being sold in the area, for examination,” the SP added.
Kurichedu is currently under lockdown due to spurt in coronavirus cases and as such the liquor vends are also shut for the past few days.
Habitual tipplers, however, were said to be consuming sanitiser that has alcohol content, apart from illicitly distilled arrack.
Two beggars near a temple were the first to fall victim on Thursday night.
While one of them was found dead at the spot, another died in the government hospital in Darsi town, police said.
A third person was also taken to the Darsi hospital late on Thursday night after he fell unconscious but he was declared brought dead. Six others who took ill after allegedly consuming sanitizer, succumbed on Friday morning.
A couple of other persons, who also complained of some problems after consuming sanitizer, were undergoing treatment at their residences in the village, the police added. — PTI
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