Eleven die after eating ‘toxic’ rice

Eleven people have died after eating rice that had likely been contaminated with a toxic substance at a Hindu temple ceremony , a health official said Saturday .Another 29 people were critically ill and undergoing emergency treatment across various hospitals in Mysore , a city in the state of Karnataka .

“11 people have died so far and 93 others are hospitalised . Out of them , 29 are on ventilator support , ” said K. H. Prasad , the health officer for Chamraj Nagar district where the temple is located .

“ It is likely that some toxic substance got mixed with the rice . The samples have been sent for forensic testing , ” Prasad told AFP .

The patients were being treated for vomiting, diarrhoea and respiratory distress, Prasad added .

According to the police , devotees had gathered in large numbers at the Kicchukatti Maramma temple for the consecration ceremony on Friday, after which rice was served as a sanctified offering .

Murugappa , a devotee who was present at the temple, said they were offered tomato rice and flavoured water.

“A foul smell was emanating from the food , but those at the head of the queue consumed the food nonetheless , ” he was quoted as saying by the NDTV news network.

“A little while later they started vomiting and frothing at the mouth. ”

State Chief Minister H. D . Kumaraswamy expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of 500 , 000 rupees ( around $ 7 , 000 ) each to the families of the victims .

India ’ s religious festivals are often badly managed with police and volunteer stewards overwhelmed by the sheer size of the crowds .

A stampede in eastern West Bengal state last year killed six women and 24 people died in a similar incident in Uttar Pradesh state in 2016.

( AFP )

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