6 die, 100 ill after drinking contaminated water during temple fair in Karnataka's Tumakuru

BENGALURU: Six persons, including a three-year-old, have died and over 100 others taken ill after consuming contaminated water during a temple fair at a village near Midigeshi of Madhugiri taluk in Tumakuru district, 90km from Bengaluru.
The six-day temple fair that began Sunday at Chinnenahalli village was attended by thousands of devotees from Karnataka and neighbouring Andhra as it was being held after a hiatus of 30 years, according to residents.
At the end of Day 1 of celebrations, over 35 people complained of diarrhoea and vomiting after consuming water during the fair at the village. Many were admitted to Madhugiri taluk hospital and Tumakuru district hospital. Over the next two days, three persons undergoing treatment at hospital, all senior citizens, died of multiple complications. Soon, the number of infected people crossed 100 and the death toll also increased.
Lab test revealed overhead tank water unfit for potable purposes: Minister
On Wednesday, two more senior citizens undergoing treatment at Tumakuru hospital died and a three-year-old admitted at a private hospital in Madhugiri also died, according to district health and family welfare officials.
Co-operation minister KN Rajanna, also MLA from Madhugiri, reviewed the situation. Tumakuru district minister G Parameshwara also visited the ailing patients and enquired after their health.
Parameshwara said, "There is a possibility that two senior citizens died possibly due to their inability to withstand the severity of infection owing to old age."
"At the outset, it looks like water supplied from the overhead tank was contaminated. Water samples from the overhead tank and RO plant were sent to a lab for analysis and the reports revealed that tank water was unfit for potable purpose. We have already suspended the panchayat development officer (PDO) and waterman over dereliction of duty," he said.
Minister Rajanna suspected that potable water may have been mixed with the contaminated water while laying the pipeline. "Nevertheless, zilla panchayat officials are investigating further to ascertain the reason for contamination," he said. Asked if the state govt would provide the family of the deceased with compensation, the ministers said they would discuss it with the chief minister.
The district administration has cut off tap water supply to the village and is supplying potable water through tankers and all citizens have been advised to consume water only after boiling thoroughly.