Kottayam: Two people have died and three others hospitalised after allegedly inhaling a toxic pesticide while working on a paddy field near Thiruvalla.
Hospital authorities identified the deceased Mathai Easho, 62, and Sanal Kumar, 42, both natives of Vengala near Thiruvalla.
The incident came to light Friday evening when they sought treatment at the Government General Hospital, Changanassery, for uneasiness and respiratory problems after spraying pesticide.
"We confirmed it as a case of contact poisoning and immediately referred to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital," a hospital source said.
The MCH authorities, however, maintained that the two were brought dead.
"We are awaiting a chemical exam results to ascertain the exact cause," said R.P. Renjin, the resident medical officer. Meanwhile, they discharged others on Saturday.
A probe is on into pesticide spraying without adequate protection and whether toxic chemicals were beyond the permissible limit.
