Pesticide-Laced Water, Not Hooch: The Truth Behind Coimbatore's Recent Poisoning Case

In Coimbatore, two men were hospitalized on Friday after consuming liquor mixed with pesticide-contaminated water near Anaimalai. Preliminary tests confirm phosphamidon in their systems, with ongoing police investigations. Earlier Dinamalar had falsely reported they were hospitalised due to hooch.


Coimbatore: Two men faced critical health crises after drinking pesticide-tainted liquor at Manjanaickanur near Anaimalai on Friday. C Mahendran, 40, and S Ravichandran, 55, from Manjanaickanur, found themselves in dire health after their usual morning libation at a local tea shop led to unexpected illness due to contaminated mixing water.

Around 8 AM on Friday, at a local tea shop, these men consumed liquor which, unknown to them, was mixed with water that contained the deadly pesticide phosphamidon. By afternoon, they developed severe diarrhoea and were rushed to Pollachi government hospital. Considering the severity of their conditions, Ravichandran was later shifted to a private hospital near SITRA, and Mahendran was moved to another private facility at Avarampalayam.

Investigations reveal that the water used for mixing the liquor was stored in a vessel behind the tea shop, where it had been contaminated with phosphamidon. "Blood and water samples collected from the scene tested positive for phosphamidon," reported the police. The ongoing probe has also led to the formation of a special team dedicated to uncovering who is responsible for contaminating the water.

Earlier reports by Dinamalar incorrectly claimed the men's illness was due to hooch consumption. The police have discredited these claims, reaffirming that pesticide poisoning was the cause. The health condition of those affected has now stabilized, but five others who shared the drink have also been hospitalized as a preventive measure.

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