Hyderabad:  Two individuals lost their lives, and 28 others, including 12 women, were hospitalized after reportedly consuming contaminated toddy, officials reported on Wednesday.

A police official from Cyberabad stated that two individuals who were admitted to the hospital on Tuesday night were pronounced dead upon arrival.

Officials from the State Excise and Prohibition Department indicated that 28 individuals fell ill after allegedly drinking the adulterated toddy.

The state-operated Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, where the patients are receiving care, reported that three patients are in critical condition.

“Over 15 individuals were admitted to hospitals on Tuesday night. By Wednesday morning, this figure had risen to 28,” the department’s statement noted.

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The affected individuals consumed toddy at various shops on July 6 and July 8 in Kukatpally, Balanagar, and other parts of the city, and they were initially taken to different hospitals on Tuesday after reporting symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. “Three patients are in critical condition. One is receiving Inotropic support and undergoing dialysis. Another is on a ventilator, and dialysis is planned for a third patient,” NIMS stated.
Telangana’s Minister for Excise and Prohibition, Jupally Krishna Rao, visited NIMS Hospital on Wednesday to meet with the affected individuals.

Given that all affected individuals exhibited similar symptoms, preliminary information suggests that the consumption of adulterated toddy may be the cause, the minister stated. He mentioned that police and excise officials have filed cases related to the incident and initiated an investigation. Officials from the Excise Department reported the arrest of five individuals in connection with the case. The toddy shops where the contaminated drink was consumed have been sealed, and samples from those locations have been collected for chemical analysis, while samples from the patients receiving treatment have been sent to the forensic science laboratory, he added.