Mumbai: 1 dead, over 200 in hospital after Holi color poisoning

Some 200 people, mostly children, were Thursday hospitalised for color poisoning in Mumbai.

The poisonings occurred in the Shastrinagar area of Dharavi, as the celebrations for the traditional Hindu festival of Holi were in full swing.

According to reports, toxins in the colored powder have led to the illness. Hospital officials said the affected persons complained of breathlessness, giddiness, vomiting and headache.

The police suspect the toxic substance may have come from a Dharavi dumping ground, where the area's leather tanners throw harmful chemicals and water.

About 195 people have been admitted to Sion Hospital and another 12 to Rajawadi Hospital. Of those admitted, a 13-year-old boy, whose condition was serious, is reported to have died due to the colour poisoning on Friday.

Viky Walmiki succumbed at the Rajawadi Hospital on Thursday night, an official at the Dharavi police station confirmed.

Most of the affected are said to be kids between the age 8 and 10.

Medical authorities have yet to identify the spurious blue colour that sparked panic. The blood samples of the patients have been sent for clinical analysis.

Preliminary investigations by the police have revealed that some poor slum kids reportedly discovered bags of blue colour lying unattended near a garbage dump in Dharavi, IANS reported.

Police and civic officials had issued warnings asking people to stay away from cheap and polluted Holi colours.

Police have meanwhile registered a case of negligence against unknown persons.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has ordered a detailed probe by a six-member committee into the incident of colour infection.