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Eleven dead in hooch tragedy

Special Correspondent

Toll likely to rise further, say officials

LUCKNOW: Eleven persons were killed after consuming methyl alcohol in about half-a-dozen villages in Barabanki and Faizabad districts on Monday. Nine others admitted to hospital in Faizabad are stated to be in a critical condition. The deceased included two women. Officials have not ruled out the possibility of the toll rising further.

The cause of the multiple deaths is attributed to consumption of methyl alcohol that spilt over from a tanker after the vehicle overturned at Lohia Pul on Barabanki-Faizabad border. According to the State Home Secretary, R.M. Srivastava, the tanker met with the accident at around 3 p.m. on Saturday and soon local units of the medical departments were activated to warn the villagers that consumption of the commodity would prove fatal.

However, the warning came a bit too late. The death dance started on Monday morning, after more than 24 hours of methyl alcohol was pilfered from the tanker by the villagers.

The Home Secretary said while eight persons died in their villages, three others succumbed to the deadly substance in the district hospital. Eight of the deceased belonged to Faizabad district and three to Barabanki.

The victims belonging to Begumganj, Barai Kalan and Chamaran ka Purwa villages in Faizabad district were identified as Chhabi Lal (45), Nanhe (38), Ram Sumer (40), Jugnu (35), Shiv Baran (35), Ashok (18), Phoolmati (25) and Gangajali (30).

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