11 people died and More than 90 were hospitalised after eating 'toxic' rice - or prasad - at a temple in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district on Friday, reported NDTV.
Health officer for Chamarajanagar district, KH Prasad said, "11 people have died and over 93 others are hospitalized. Out of them, 29 are on ventilator support."
Officer told AFP, "All things considered, some toxic substance got mixed with the rice. The examples have been sent for forensic testing."
He added, The patients were being treated for regurgitating,diarrhoea and respiratory distress.
As indicated by the police, devotees had assembled 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, yet those at the leader of the queue consumed the food nonetheless," he was cited as saying by the NDTV news organize.
"Before long they began vomiting and foaming at the mouth."
State Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy communicated grief over the incident and reported a remuneration of 500,000 rupees (around US$7,000) each to the groups of the families of the victims. India's religious celebrations are frequently severely made do with police and volunteer stewards overpowered by the sheer size of the groups.
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