The death toll in the temple ‘Prasada’ incident at Maramma temple at Sulawadi village near Hanur in Chamarajnagar district has gone to 11 with two people on ventilator support in hospitals here breathing their last.
Krishna Nayak, Anil and Preetham died in Mysuru hospitals since Friday night. The names of other deceased are Shantharaju (42), Gopiyamma (40), Annaiappa (80), Anitha (12), Doddamaraiah (84), Papanna (50), Rachaiah (65) and Sathivelu (28). All the deceased belong to several villages around Sulawadi village where the tragedy occurred.
Chamarajnagar District Health Officer K H Prasad told The Hindu that eleven people have been confirmed dead and 29 were still battling for life. Barring four critical patients being treated at the state-run K R Hospital here, the remaining patients in serious condition were on life support system at six private hospitals.
Out of 104 people affected by the tragedy, including 11 dead, 93 patients were shifted to Mysuru from hospitals in Chamarajnagar district since Wednesday evening with the highest number of patients, about 30, admitted in K R Hospital alone and the remaining in seven private hospitals here, Dr Prasad informed.
Dr Prasad said the bodies of the deceased had been handed over to the family members and relatives after conducting the post-mortem.
Sources in the hospitals here said the condition of those in critical condition can be determined only after the next 48 hours once the effect of poison decreases in the system.
Minister in-charge of Chamarajnagar district Puttaranga Shetty said the police have taken two people into custody and questioning. "I am told they were suspecting more people behind the incident. Nothing can be revealed at this stage since the investigation is on," he told The Hindu .
