Toxic Holi kills 13-yr-old in Mumbai; 215 in hospital

A 13-year-old boy died due to Holi colour poisoning while undergoing treatment at a hospital in suburban Ghatkopar in Mumbai, civic officials said on Friday.

Viky Walmiki, who suffered from colour poisoning during Holi celebrations in Dharavi area in Mumbai, succumbed at the Rajawadi Hospital Thursday night, they said.

Nine other persons were also hospitalised at the same medical facility, after Holi took a toxic hue in parts of Mumbai and people developed allergic chemical reaction to colours on Thursday.

Please ...

Over 190 people, mostly children in the age group of 9-10 years, were undergoing treatment at the Sion hospital, while 16 others were admitted to the Byculla railway hospital, officials said.

Most of the revellers showed symptoms of giddiness and vomiting with some complaining of altered consciousness, they said.

...

Police have registered a case of negligence against unknown persons and are in the process of identifying shops from where the spurious colours were purchased.

Late Thursday night, official sources said Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had ordered a detailed probe by a six-member committee into the incident of colour infection.

The chief minister also ordered the authorities to ensure proper and timely treatment for the victims.

...

The six-member team will be headed by Medical Education Department's Secretary, I S Chahal, and will submit its report in two weeks.

Other members of the committee are Additional Commissioner of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Manisha Mhaiskar, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board's Secretary Milind Mhaiskar, FDA Commissioner, Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner, Industrial Security and Health Department's Director.

The committee will fix the responsibility and suggest preventive measures.

Click on MORE to see related feature...