Three persons died and as many took ill allegedly after consuming illicit liquor at Sone Bigha village in Aurangabad, around 120km southwest of Patna on Friday.

Two of the victims, identified as Sanjay Singh and Saroj Singh, have been admitted to a Varanasi-based government hospital. Many people from Auranagabad go to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh for treatment owing to lack of quality healthcare services. Varanasi is about 80km from Aurangabad. The third victim is reportedly undergoing treatment at a private nursing home in Rohtas district.

The incident came to the fore early this morning when the victims, who had consumed alcohol late last night, complained of severe stomach pain, restlessness and vomiting. Three of them died on way to Aurangabad hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Rajendra Singh (48), Jimmedar Singh (36) and Kamta Singh (35). While Rajendra was a native of Sobhakhap village, Jimmedar and Kamta hailed from Jangibigha village in Aurangabad district. Police seized empty bottles of liquor from the spot.

Narottam Chandra, the station house officer (SHO) of Narari Kala Khurd village, under the jurisdiction whose jurisdiction the place of occurrence falls, confirmed the death of the three persons. “The condition of two others undergoing treatment at the Varanasi hospital is stated to be out of danger,” he said.

Sharing details of the incident, the SHO said the victims, all marginal farmers, took their meal on the banks of the river Sone late last night. The victims used to stay at their agricultural farm at night. They had returned in the evening from their respective houses after attending the Chhath festival.

The police visited the spot and gathered evidence this morning, the SHO said, adding that a case of unnatural death had been lodged in connection to the incident.

The SHO said the post-mortem would reveal the cause of death of the victims. “The post-mortem report is awaited,” he said. The viscera of the victims have been preserved for further analysis, he added.