13 Killed In Central India After Drinking Contaminated Tap Water

By Shakir Husain

NEW DELHI, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- Thirteen people have been reported killed and hundreds, including many children, have fallen ill after drinking contaminated tap water in central India.

People suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting were taken to several hospitals in the city of Indore, in Madhya Pradesh state, after using water from a municipal supply pipeline.

Municipal officials suspect that sewage may have mixed with potable water due to a leak in the pipeline in Bhagirathpura, a poor neighbourhood.

Residents and grieving relatives told local media that foul-smelling water had been supplied to the area over the past week.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav and cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya visited victims undergoing treatment in hospitals on Wednesday.

However, controversy erupted after Vijayvargiya dismissively told a television reporter not to ask "useless questions" when questioned about the situation on Wednesday. A video of the confrontation has since gone viral on social media.

Multiple media reports said at least 13 people were killed and more than 1,000 had fallen ill.

The minister did not confirm the death toll on Thursday but said fewer people were now being admitted to hospitals.

"I cannot comment on the number of deaths at this time," he told reporters.

Vijayvargiya said one hospital has 100 beds available, and an entire ward with 100 beds at another hospital has been set aside to treat those affected by the contamination.

The state government has promised to give 200,000 rupees (about US$2,225) each to the families of those who lost their lives.

-- BERNAMA