Patna: Four persons, among them three members of a family, died and two others fell sick after drinking what they thought was tea in their house in Darbhanga district on Thursday morning.

The survivors, Pramila Devi, 45, and her son Pappu Mahto, 14, have been admitted to Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). Pramila's condition is stated to be critical. The tragedy occurred around 8am when the young daughter of the family, Archana Kumari (10), started preparing tea for the rest of the household and a neighbour at Usra village, around 145km northeast from Patna. Archana erroneously mixed pesticide in the milk, mistaking the packet for tea leaves.

All six persons - Pramila, her husband Ram Swaroop Mahto, 50, their sons Pappu and Prakash Kumar (11) and daughter Archana and a neighbour, Dukhan Mahto, 70, fell unconscious after drinking the concoction. They complained of vomiting, headache and severe pain in the stomach.

They were rushed to the local primary health centre from where they were referred to DMCH. While two persons died on way to the hospital, two others breathed their last during treatment at DMCH.

Archana, Ram Swaroop, Prakash and Dukhan Mahto died, Darbhanga additional superintendent of police Dilnawaz Ahmad confirmed. He added that Archana mistakenly mixed pesticide which was stored in the kitchen for farm use. The forensic team collected sample of the pesticide. Pramila had earlier told doctors that her husband Ram Swaroop had invited his neighbour Dukhan Mahto to tea which was being prepared by Archana.

ASP Ahmad said a case has been lodged with the Bahadurpur police station. "The forensic test will confirm the cause of death. The report is awaited," he told The Telegraph over phone from Darbhanga.

Two days ago, three minor children had died in Jamui after eating contaminated fruits.