Bihar: Death toll in Saran hooch tragedy rises to 12 | Patna News

Medical teams have been sent to the area in the village so that checkups can be done at every household. ANI photo

CHHAPRA: The death toll in a suspected hooch tragedy in Bihar’s Saran district rose to 12 on Friday.
The incident took place at Bhatha village under Maker police station area.
While three people died at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), one was brought dead to the hospital, said Dr I S Thankurthe superintendent of the hospital. Two others – Chandan Mahto (30) and Kamal Mahto (65) – were declared brought dead at Chhapra sadar hospital. Villagers said most of those who fell ill have also lost their eyesight.
Saran SP Santosh Kumar admitted that some people had consumed liquor at the village during Nag Panchami celebrations on Tuesday. “Marhoura and Sonepur DSPs are camping at the village. We have begun an investigation into the matter,” he added. The SP added efforts are on to ascertain the exact number of people who consumed liquor at the village.
Saran DM Rajesh Meena said a team of doctors and paramedical staff has been sent to the village to ascertain the cause of deaths.
Mithilesh Mahto, whose father-in-law died on way to PMCH, said the latter had consumed hooch. “Liquor is readily available at the village. Several people had consumed country liquor during religious function on Tuesday. Many of them later developed health complications, including loss of eyesight. My father-in-law died around 2pm on Tuesday while being taken to PMCH,” he said.
Earlier on August 2, two persons had died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor at Ramdaspur village under Bhorha panchayat in the same district.