11 dead, dozens ill after eating 'toxic' rice at Indian temple
Eleven people including two children have died after eating rice that had likely been contaminated with a toxic substance at a Hindu temple ceremony, a health official said on Saturday, according to the report by The Associated Press.
Another 29 people were critically ill and undergoing emergency treatment across various hospitals in Mysore, a city in the state of Karnataka.
"It is likely that some toxic substance got mixed with the rice. The samples have been sent for forensic testing," Prasad told AFP.
According to the police, devotees had gathered in large numbers at the Kicchukatti Maramma temple for the consecration ceremony on Friday, after which rice was served as a sanctified offering.
Media reports in India said the suspected food poisoning was the result of pesticide contamination but police said it was too early to draw conclusions about the cause.