'Medicine' kills 30 in Odisha

At least 30 people died and 40 were taken ill after allegedly consuming cough-and-cold medicinal formulations and tincture as substitute for liquor on Monday in some villages in Cuttack.

At least 30 people died and 40 were taken ill after allegedly consuming cough-and-cold medicinal formulations and tincture as substitute for liquor on Monday in some villages in Cuttack.

HT Image

Most of the victims hail from villages in the Mahidharpada and Balianta areas of Cuttack and Khurda district.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and granted Rs 10,000 from the Red Cross fund to the families of each of the victims.

The police said Baidhar Bhoi, who allegedly sold the formulations, was the first to die on Tuesday. The rest died at the SCB Medical College, Cuttack, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cuttack collector Girish SN told reporters that the medicines, with a high alcohol content, were usually used to treat injuries and cough and cold.

"The medicines are available over the counter," Girish said.