The death toll from Friday’s suspected food poisoning at a village temple in Karnataka has gone up to 13, officials said yesterday .
Two men were detained for interrogation, a minister said.
“So far, 13 devotees have died in the tragic incident at Sulavadi’s Maramma temple in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district. Two persons have been detained for interrogation and the case is being investigated,” Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, tweeted.
At least 65 people – men, women and children – are being treated in hospitals in the district, about 180km southwest of Bengaluru.
“I have instructed the Muzarai (Endowment) department to be alert and avoid such incidents at any temple in the state,” said Parameshwara.
“It is likely that some toxic substance got mixed with the rice. The samples have been sent for forensic testing,” H Prasad, the health officer for Chamarajanagar said.
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 said.
“A little while later they started vomiting and frothing at the mouth.”
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs500,000 each to the families of the victims.
Relatives grieve after at least 13 people died of food poisoning, in Chamarajanagar district yesterday.
