8 dead, 12 hospitalised by illicit liquor in MP Sagar

At least eight people have died and more than 12 others were hospitalised after consuming illicit liquor in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district, with officials warning the death toll could rise as medical teams conduct door-to-door screenings in affected villages. The incident, which began late Saturday night, has prompted a magisterial inquiry and the deployment of medical and administrative teams across several villages in the Banda tehsil area. The tragedy unfolded when a group of people in Baraj village consumed liquor on Saturday night and soon began experiencing severe symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. They were rushed to local hospitals, where the first death was reported on Saturday evening. A man arrived at the Banda Civil Hospital in a gasping condition around 7 p.m. and could not be revived. By Sunday morning, the number of fatalities had increased significantly, with reports from officials and sources indicating between six and nine deaths. Sagar Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Devesh Pateria confirmed the deaths and stated that the toll could change as screening continues.