At least five people were dead and over 70 were hospitalised after consuming prasad at a temple in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar on Friday.
There is, however, no clarity on the number of deceased. Some reports say that the number of people dead number 10.
According to reports, the incident happened at the Kichchugutti Maramma temple in the remote village of Sulvadi in Hanur taluk. Devotees had thronged the temple for the building of a Gopuram.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to the next of kin of deceased.
Expressing his grief, the CM said that the principal secretary and commissioner has instructed DHOs Mandya and Mysore to provide help to Chamrajnagar health administration.
“Concerned program officer is monitoring calls at 108 call centre and coordinating services of ambulances. Commissioner has instructed ADC Mysore to provide services of private ALP ambulances,” he said, adding that two senior officers from state HQ will coordinate and supervise activities in the village where the incident happened.
The Karnataka government will also take care of the medical treatment of the hospitalised. Many have been shifted to KR Hospital in Mysuru, where, according to The News Minute, some of them are being treated with ventilator support.
Reports say that the devotees were offered tomato-rice, which was consumed by many before some of them started vomiting.
Officials are yet to ascertain how the prasad got contaminated.
Chamarajanagara SP Dharmendher told TNM that the police are investigating the incident and samples of the prasad have been sent to FSL Lab.