Bolangir: At least 21 people, including 12 children, were taken ill after eating ‘prasad’ of a ritual at Taliuda village under Loisingha block in Bolangir district Sunday.
They were rushed to the district headquarters hospital after they complained of vomiting, loose motions and dizziness.
The incident occurred after a villager Achyut Sahu who had performed the ritual at his house the previous night distributed the prasad to various households Sunday.
The villagers, after consuming the prasad, started showing symptoms of food poisoning. Their health condition was reported stable after medical treatment.
Some of the affected villagers were Bharat Biswal (22), Surya Pradhan (70), Rinu Biswal (14), Annasuya Biswal (17), Prabhati Pradhan (4), Sunita Pradhan (11) and Kabita Sahu (8).
When contacted, chief district medical officer Dr Sugyanendra Mishra said a probe will be undertaken to ascertain the actual reason behind the illness of the villagers.
