Around 500 people reportedly fell sick from food poisoning after consuming prasad during a religious program organised to observe Ekadashi at Lonar, in Maharashtra's Buldhana district, on Tuesday night.
After consuming the prasad, approximately 450-500 villagers complained of nausea and vomiting. Many were admitted to the rural hospital at Bibi. However, due to a shortage of beds, most patients had to be treated on the road outside the hospital, with saline bottles hung on ropes hooked to trees, ABP LIVE Marathi reported.
The incident was reported after the religious event 'Harinam Saptah’ at Somthana village, the district collector Kiran Patil told PTI. Harinam Saptah is a week-long religious event, and after the program, devotees are given prasad.
Patil further said that the samples of prasad have been sent to a laboratory for analysis, and an inquiry will be initiated.
Chaos ensued in the village after the food poisoning incident. All local health centres were overwhelmed with patients, leading to a shortage of medical staff. Despite the challenges, efforts are ongoing to provide medical treatment to those affected by the illness.
About 100 to 120 individuals were discharged after their condition improved, but treatment for the remaining 400 individuals is ongoing. Some elderly patients are in critical condition. However, there have been no reports of deaths so far.
Villagers also expressed frustration with the district health administration for the lack of doctors at the primary health centre following the incident. They demanded the suspension of district health officers in response to the situation.
Patil mentioned that a team of doctors has been dispatched to the village along with an ambulance and other essential equipment, ready to respond to any medical emergencies that may arise, according to the PTI report.