At least 9 people died in Andhra Pradesh after allegedly drinking sanitiser in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh on Friday, the police said.
Prakasam district Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kaushal said the people had been consuming sanitiser for the past few days, mixing it with water and soft drinks. While the Superintendent of Police has ordered a probe into the matter.
“We are also investigating whether they laced the sanitiser with any other toxic substances,” the senior police officer said.
“Their family members say these people have been consuming sanitiser for the past ten days. We are sending the sanitiser stocks, being sold in the area, for examination,” the official added.
Kurichedu in Prakasam district is also currently under lockdown due to rise in coronavirus cases and the liquor shops are also shut for the last 10 days. Dirt to this the habitual drinkers started consuming sanitisers that have alcohol content.
The police said two beggars near a temple were the first to fall victim on Thursday night. While one of them was found dead at the spot, another died in the government hospital in Darsi town, they said.
Another person was also taken to the Darsi hospital late on Thursday night after he fell unconscious at his home. But he died on the way. Six more who fell ill after allegedly consuming sanitiser, succumbed this morning.
Others who fell ill after consuming sanitiser are undergoing treatment at their residences in the village, the police said.
