Death Toll Rises to 2 in Ganjam Spurious Liquor Tragedy

Berhampur: The death toll from the spurious liquor tragedy in Chikiti block of Ganjam district has risen to two, following the death of Lokanath Behera, a 34-year-old resident of Jenapur village. Behera passed away while undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, as informed by the Hospital Superintendent, Prof. Suchitra Dash, today.

Earlier, Jura Behera, also from Jenapur village, had succumbed to the effects of consuming the illicit liquor while receiving treatment at the same hospital. With this, the number of deaths in the Chikiti spurious liquor case has increased to two.

Currently, 12 other individuals affected by the consumption of the spurious liquor are still undergoing treatment at MKCG Hospital. Two of them remain in critical condition and are in the ICU, while the remaining are being treated in the medicine ward.

The incident occurred on Monday evening when around 17 people from Karbala and Jenapur villages fell ill after consuming the spurious liquor, allegedly procured from near Moundpur. The victims initially experienced severe stomach pain and vomiting, leading to their admission at Chikiti hospital. Fifteen of them were later shifted to MKCG Medical College Hospital, where two have since lost their lives.