Khulna: Four people have died at a city hospital following the consumption of toxic country-made liquor this afternoon in the Boyra area of the city. The victims have been identified as Babu, 50, Sabu, 60, Goutom Kumar Biswas, 47, and Tota, 60.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, another individual, Sonu, aged 58, was admitted to Khulna Specialized Hospital and is currently on life support. Shafiqul Islam, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sonadanga Model Police Station, stated that the victims were consuming toxic Bangla liquor at Tota Miar hotel, located near Boyra Pujakhola Islamia College under Sonadanga Model Police Station.
The victims reportedly became ill and fainted after consuming the liquor. Local residents promptly transported them to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH), where a doctor declared four of the individuals deceased. Sonu was later moved to Khulna Specialized Hospital and remains on life support.
The on-duty doctor at KMCH, as quoted by the OC, suspects that the victims consumed handmade local liquor laced with banned Indian-made 'elcholy tablets,' sleeping pills, and hydrated lime. The OC mentioned that there are reports of another individual, Azibor, 59, allegedly dying from the same toxic liquor. However, confirmation is pending as his body was reportedly taken by family members to his native village, with claims of death due to cardiac arrest.
The OC emphasized that the real cause of death will be determined following autopsies. An investigation is underway to uncover how the deceased obtained the poisonous liquor, and efforts are being made to apprehend the drug peddlers responsible for its distribution.