At least 10 people died and over 60 were hospitalised after consuming ‘prasadam’ distributed at the Maramma temple at Sulwadi in Hunsur taluk of Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district on Friday, in a suspected case of food poisoning.
The district authorities confirmed 10 deaths and feared the toll could increase as some of the patients were critical. Chamarajanagar SP Dharmendra Kumar Meena said 68 people had been hospitalised in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts.
The devotees had participated in a few rituals, ahead of their visit to an Om Shakti temple in Tamil Nadu.
They were given a rice preparation as ‘prasadam’ around noon, and a few of them immediately started throwing up. Soon, almost all those who had eaten it were taken ill.
Ex gratia announced
The government has announced compensation of ₹5 lakh to the family of the deceased. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said a probe was ordered and two people have been taken into custody. The hospital expenses would be borne by the government
