Karnataka: Death toll in food poisoning incident at temple rises to 13

Outside the temple where a case of suspected food poisoning killed at least 10 people on Friday in Sulavadi village. (AP)

The tragedy occurred on Friday morning after prasad was offered to devotees, who had gathered for the foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of the Maramma temple at Sulivadi village. People started vomiting soon after consuming the prasad and began writhing in pain. Nearly 200 people had gathered for the event, some of whom had reportedly said that the food smelled of kerosene.

Police said at least six people died after developing symptoms of severe food poisoning. Those critical were taken to Mysuru for treatment. Two people have been detained in connection with the incident. It has also emerged that the CCTV cameras installed in the temple were defunct.

Officials are probing suspected foul play in the incident. Meanwhile, the government has been urged to take over the temple management by the villagers who have alleged that factional feud within the temple authorities led to the incident.

Police officials inspect the kitchen of the temple in Sulavadi village in Chamarajnagar district of Karnataka. (AP)

On Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy visited patients at hospitals and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased. It has also come to light that a large number of crows and some other birds, approximately 80, which consumed the  prasad died, PTI reported.

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