Berhampur: The death toll in suspected "poisoning" incident in the town mounted to five on Tuesday with the death of two more family members during treatment at hospital.
While three brothers died after eating some food at home during the day yesterday, their father, Bhubani Padhy (65) died at the hospital late last night and sister Banita (23) succumbed to illness today, hospital sources said.
Besides Bhubani and Banita, the three others who had died first were identified as as Pramod Kumar Padhy (29), Prasanna Padhy ((27) and Pankaj Padhy (25), police said.
While Prasanna and Pramod died in the hospital during treatment, Pankaj died on the way to a private hospital in Vishakhapatnam.
"Preliminary investigation indicated that the deaths were due to poisoning. Viscera were sent to state forensic laboratory to confirm the exact cause of the deaths," said head of forensic department Sachidanand Mohanty.
Prashant, the eldest son of Bhubani, was now battling for life at MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
"His condition is also critical. He was admitted in the intensive care unit and doctors are trying their best to save him," said Superintendent of medical college and hospital AK Behera.
Sixty-year-old Sarojini, wife of Bhubani, however, escaped the tragedy, sources said.
