Contaminated water kills six in Karnataka

Six people, including a three-year-old, have died and over 100 others have fallen ill after drinking contaminated water during a temple fair in Tumakuru district, 90 km from Bengaluru. The six-day fair, which began on last Sunday in Chinnenahalli village, was attended by thousands of devotees from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, 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. Many were admitted to hospitals. Over the next two days, three senior citizens died of multiple complications. Soon, the number of infected people crossed 100 and the death toll increased. Two more senior citizens died and a three-year-old admitted to a private hospital also died, according to officials. Karnataka cooperation minister and Madhugiri MLA KN Rajanna reviewed the situation. Tumakuru district minister G Parameshwara also visited the ailing patients.