7 dead in Maharashtra after drinking alcohol-based hand sanitizer

MUMBAI: Seven people died after drinking alcohol-based hand sanitizer in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, 700 kilometres from Mumbai, because they were unable to buy liquor due to the weekend lockdown.

The incident occurred in the district's Vani village. Many of the people who died were workers.

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They tried to buy liquor but couldn't because the stores were closed, according to police, who added that they were taken to a state-run hospital.

A investigation into the incident has been ordered by the Yavatmal district magistrate.

Expert-recommended hand sanitizers for COVID-19 prevention contain more than 70% alcohol. They are only intended for external use and are harmful if consumed.

For weeks Maharashtra, the worst-affected state, has been reporting over 50,000 daily coronavirus cases.

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To get the coronavirus situation under control, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray declared a night curfew and weekend lockdowns earlier this month. The Maharashtra government did not declare a complete lockdown this week, but it did enforce strict restrictions.

Last year during the nationwide lockdown in July, ten people died in Andhra Pradesh after consuming hand sanitizer.

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