One of the bereaved families in Sagauli. Picture by Ajit Kumar Verma

Patna/Motihari, Nov. 25: At least nine people, including three women, have died of a mystery disease at Bahurupiya in East Champaran district’s Sagauli nagar panchayat, around 180 km northwest of Patna, in the past 18 hours.

Only eight deaths were officially confirmed. Two deaths occurred on Saturday night but the trend was noticed after a series of deaths from 3pm on Sunday till 9am today. The age of the victims ranged from 35 to 70 years. Four of the seriously ill have been referred to Motihari Sadar Hospital. One more person, Jaynarayan Patel was rushed there at 6 pm today. Among the dead are Jagdish Patel (65), Badami Devi (70), Rameshwar Prasad Sah (65), Kanhai Mahto (35), Tapi alias Baro Mahto (40), Rambha Devi (35), Madan Mahto (60), Rita Devi (35) and Radhe Mahto (55). Rita, Baro and Rambha belong to one family and Jagdish and Bedami to another.

Deceased Rameshwar Prasad Sah’s son Mangal Mahto told officials on Monday that his father was drunk when he returned home on Saturday night. “He complained of vomiting, itching and stomach pain.” They took him to hospital where he died on Monday. Other relatives said most victims complained of excess sweating, nausea and vomiting, headache and breathlessness. “They died in 15-20 minutes,” a relative told the team.

East Champaran district magistrate Sridhar Chiruvelu said: “We have formed a medical team. A report is awaited.” Post-mortem was conducted under a medical board’s supervision. East Champaran civil surgeon Meera Verma said the victims’ kin were giving contradictory statements and making their task difficult. She suspected cold diarrhoea but said: “We can’t say anything at this stage.”

Bettiah MP Madan Jaiswal, an MBBS, ruled out cold diarrhoea. “This is a fallout of spurious liquor intake. The administration is saving its skin.” He demanded a probe. Motihari-based doctor A.K. Mishra ruled out hooch deaths and suspected food poisoning.