Covid-19: 10 people die after consuming sanitiser in India

Amaravati - The deceased include three beggars.

Unable to get liquor because of the lockdown in place, 10 people died after consuming sanitiser in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, police said on Friday.
While three people died on Thursday, seven succumbed on Friday. The incident occurred in Kurichedu mandal headquarters in Prakasam district. As the liquor shops in town and surrounding villages were closed for the last 10 days due to lockdown, the habitual drinkers had started consuming sanitizer used for hand hygiene.
The deceased include three beggars. Two of them who used to beg at a local temple complained of severe burning sensation in their stomachs on Thursday night. While a man died instantaneously, another was shifted to a hospital at Darsi where he succumbed while undergoing treatment.
Another 28-year-old man, who had consumed country made liquor mixed with sanitiser, also fell unconscious at his home. He died while being shifted to hospital.
Six more were rushed to hospital in the early hours of Friday and they all succumbed. Police were trying to find out if more people were brought to hospital with similar complaints.
Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kaushal ordered a probe into the incident. He said sanitisers were seized from shops in the area and sent for chemical analysis.

• India