Seven people were reported dead in Indore due to vomiting and diarrhoea after the deceased allegedly consumed contaminated water. The deaths were confirmed by the Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed on Wednesday.
There are conflicting claims over the number of deceased. As per the locals, the death toll stands at eight, which includes six women who lost their lives within a week after falling ill due to contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area, Indore, Madhya Pradesh. On the other hand, District Magistrate Shivam Verma said doctors have confirmed four deaths due to the diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated drinking water, adding that at least 149 patients suffering from the disease have been admitted to 27 hospitals across the city and their health condition is being monitored.
"The health department has reported three deaths due to the diarrhoea outbreak in the Bhagirathpura area. But to my knowledge, four more people suffering from the disease were brought to hospitals and they too died," he informed.
Bhargava said a preliminary investigation suggested that drainage water entered the drinking water pipeline due to leakage, which triggered an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting in the Bhagirathpura area, leading to contaminated water and then deaths.
Govt to bear the cost of patients, financial aid announced —
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed grief over the incident and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He also said the state government would bear the entire cost of the treatment of all patients.
The official said a three-member committee headed by an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer has been constituted to probe the allegations of deaths caused by water contamination.
Officials suspended —
An official said that following the CM's instructions, a zonal officer of the municipal corporation and an assistant engineer in Bhagirathpura were suspended with immediate effect, while the services of an in-charge sub-engineer were terminated.
MP Congress spokesperson Neelabh Shukla alleged that the administration was concealing the actual death toll to cover up its “fatal negligence” in the contaminated drinking water incident.
“The contaminated drinking water incident has put an ugly blot on the image of the country’s cleanest city, Indore, but only cosmetic steps are being taken in the name of action,” he added.
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