Hyderabad toddy tragedy: Death toll climbs to 5; alprazolam found in samples, 4 held

HYDERABAD: The death toll in the alleged adulterated toddy tragedy has climbed to five on Thursday. Excise officials said preliminary lab tests detected alprazolam - a sedative used to treat anxiety and panic disorders - in samples from three licenced depots in Kukatpally area.Excise officials have arrested four men linked to the toddy depots. At least 48 others who consumed toddy from depots in and around Kukatpally over the last few days, are undergoing treatment in different hospitals in the city. Excise officials said all victims had developed severe symptoms, including excessive vomiting and acute diarrhoea. They said the effect of alprazolam was exacerbated due to suspected contamination of water in the toddy. "All those admitted to hospital, including the deceased, had developed gastric problems," said a source from the excise department. "This shows that while there was illegal use of alprazolam, it wasn't used excessively. The symptoms of excessive alprazolam are different. We don't have scientific evidence immediately to show that there is water contamination but we strongly suspect that it could be the prime reason," the source added.