Mass alcohol poisoning, at least 23 people died
At least 23 people have died and 10 others have been hospitalized after being poisoned by alcohol in the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, Indian officials said on February 8.
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The death toll is likely to rise, police sources said. Of the 23 people killed, 14 were in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district, while nine others were in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharapur district.
An investigation has been launched, and more than 10 officials and four police officers involved have been suspended following the incident.
According to India Today, the tragedy occurred when a group of people, gathered in Balupur village for a cremation event on the evening of February 7, drank alcohol as part of a local ritual. Soon after drinking alcohol, people started vomiting. They were rushed to nearby hospitals but many died.
Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya and Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed grief over the incident. Rawat has asked the Haridwar district administration to provide the best medical facilities to those admitted to the hospital.
