Four die after consuming sanitizer in Tirupati
By Newsmeter Network
Tirupati: Four people died after allegedly consuming alcohol-based hand sanitizer at Scavengers Colony in Tirupati city of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as Venkata Ratnam, Kumar, Verayya and Srinivasulu.
Police said the four people consumed alcohol-based sanitizer on Thursday morning. Later they complained of severe stomach ache and vomiting. Venkata Ratnam died on Thursday afternoon while Kumar died in the evening.
Verayya and Srinivasulu were admitted to the government hospital. However, they also succumbed late Thursday night. Among the four deceased, two were sanitary workers.
It may be recalled that 16 people have died in the Kurichedu area of Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh after allegedly consuming alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Most of the deceased were daily-wage labourers and beggars.
At least 40 people have died in Andhra Pradesh after consuming sanitizer, industrial spirit, and surgical spirit in the past four months.
Owing to restrictions and closure of liquor outlets as per the government policy, habitual tipplers are consuming alcohol-based sanitizers to get high. Some tippers are consuming illicitly distilled arrack.
