3 persons, including an 8-year-old girl and a woman, died on Tuesday after eating puris from an eatery in Mirzapuram, Krishna district. In all, 18 persons have been hospitalized, out of which 6 persons are said to be in a critical condition.
The victims, who were daily-wage-labourers, were admitted to hospitals in Nuzvidu, Eluru and Vijayawada, after they started vomiting.
"3 of them died within hours of eating the adulterated food," said a doctor, and added that it could have been a case of food poisoning.
A 2-year-old girl is currently in a grave condition, and is going through continuous convulsions, said the doctor.
Krishna district Rural Superintendent Of Police B Rajakumari revealed that Nagamani, the owner of the eatery, was arrested.
District Collector S A M Rizvi visited the hospital, and assured the victims' families that best medical care would be provided to them.