Suspected drinking water contamination has taken a toll of at least four lives, including two children, in Ghoda village in Viramgam taluka of Ahmedabad district on Sunday. More than 100 villagers have been admitted to the hospital and the conditions of some of them are stated to be critical.
Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas, confirming the deaths, said that medical teams had been rushed to the village to deal with the situation. “A team of the Rapid Response Force is also on its way.” He said that the State government had ordered an inquiry into the causes of the suspected water contamination.
Mr Vyas said a makeshift medical facility had been created in the village school for first aid while those reported to be serious were being rushed to the district hospital. “The health officers are standing by and I am monitoring the situation.”
Reports said prima facie, the deaths were caused by cholera. The water supply to the village households come from a well from which water is pumped into an overhead tank and then supplied through pipelines to homes.
