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Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008
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Water contamination: 125 workers fall ill

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: At least 125 workers of a garment factory fell ill on Monday after they drank “contaminated water” provided at their workplace, Embee Apparels, at Madanayakanahalli off Tumkur Road. They were admitted to the Employee State Insurance (ESI) Hospital in Rajajinagar. No one is reported to be in critical condition.

“All of them were brought in around 1.30 p.m., moderately dehydrated. They were vomiting and complained of pain in their abdomen. We have put them on fluids and are providing antibiotics,” said the hospital’s Deputy Medical Superintendent, R.P. Malagi

Bed scarcity

Dr. Malagi said as no more beds were available at the hospital, patients from the factory — who kept coming right through the day — were being directed to the Indiranagar ESI Hospital. The number is bound to rise to more than 200 as more cases are being reported.

When The Hindu visited the Rajajinagar hospital, all the beds were occupied. Bhagya G., a tailor, was lying in the corner of the female ward at the Rajajinagar hospital all by herself. “I could not breathe. I was so tired I found it difficult to even stand. My head was spinning and I have no idea who brought me to the hospital. Only after they gave me glucose did I realise what was happening,” she managed to say.

Three women assisted Vasantha Kumari, another tailor, lie back on the bed after she got up to answer the nurse’s questions. Her lips were dry and she looked exhausted. “The water had been tasting bad for the past three days. Today, my stomach started to hurt badly and I was also suffering from diarrhoea. I thought it was just me and that I probably had food poisoning. Just as I was leaving the office, I saw many people vomiting and complaining of stomach ache.”

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