Visakhapatnam: The death toll has increased to seven people, including two women, in the toxic liquid consumption case. Three persons died immediately on Sunday and another four people, among the11 admitted into King George Hospital, died while undergoing treatment.
According to KGH Superintendent Dr G. Arjuna, only two people died at the government hospital. Two more persons were initially admitted in a private hospital, but later shifted to KGH in a critical condition and died there.
He said that the other patients were undergoing dialysis at the nephrology department of KGH. They are responding to the supportive treatment. A team of doctors will conduct a test on their bodies to find out which chemical has led to this incident.
All of them are rag pickers and pig shepherds in Gajuwaka area. They have reportedly consumed industrial spirit found in a black container considering it to be alcohol. However, the locals claim spurious liquor was the reason for their deaths.
Gajuwaka police officials have registered a case under Section 174 of the CrPC (Suspicious Death) and the investigation is on. “We will know the exact reasons after the post-mortem report,” Gajuwaka circle inspector K Rama Rao said.
