Andhra Pradesh: Ten dead after consuming hand sanitiser in Prakasam district

At least 10 people have died after allegedly consuming alcohol-based sanitiser in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, The Indian Express reported.

Seven people died on Friday morning and three others died over the past two days at Darsi Government Hospital.

The incident took place in Kurichedu town, and the police said that the deceased had been drinking sanitiser, either mixed with alcohol or water, for at least the past week.

The police said they found empty as well as unopened sanitiser bottles in at least 20 houses. “Family members confirmed that the victims were consuming it in place of liquor,” Prakasam District SP Siddharth Kaushal said. “Most of the deceased are daily-wage labourers and beggars. We have seized some stock of sanitisers from some shops while those with medical shops would be examined for chemical contents. Apart from the post-mortem report, we have also sought a toxicology report to ascertain what exactly happened.” All licensed liquor shops have been closed to contain the spread of the infection in Kurichedu.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has sought a report from the police as well as the collector.

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