Six persons died and nine others were hospitalized in Vijayawada today after they consumed spurious liquor at Swarna Bar in Krishnalanka.
Reports from Vijayawada said that the bar had no license.
A majority of the victims were reported to be labourers who went to the bar before going to work. About 20 people had liquor at the bar, of whom 15 fell ill. Three of them died on the spot, while three others died while undergoing treatment at the Government Hospital.
Upon receipt of the information, police and excise officials reached the hospital and gathered details from the victims. City Police Commissioner Gautam Sawang said that forensic experts were collecting evidence from the spot and the same would be sent for examination.
The shop has been sealed and the police have started an investigation into the matter.
State excise minister Kollu Ravindra, too, visited the hospital and spoke to the victims about their health condition. He advised the doctors to provide proper medical care to the victims and if necessary shift the patients in critical conditions to private hospitals.
The minister told the media that evidence related to the incident was being collected. He warned that the government would not spare anyone who was responsible for this tragedy.
"We are collecting CCTV footage and other evidence. We will also take action against the erring officials," he said.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who was in the Srikakulam district, spoke to the district Collector and enquired about the tragedy. He asked the Collector to see that proper medical care was provided to the victims and also take up a thorough inquiry into the matter.
YSR Congress Party chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy expressed shock at the deaths and demanded that the government provide proper medical aid to the victims. He also demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident. YSRCP leader Vangaveeti Radhakrishna visited the Vijayawada Government General Hospital where the victims were being treated.
Local people are expressing anger over the incident, saying that people lost their lives because of the greed of the wine shop owners. They also said that there are three wine shops in Krishnalanka, and though the people had been representing that there was no need for three shops there, the authorities had not been taking any action.