Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh: At least 20 children have died and five others are in critical condition following suspected kidney failure linked to the consumption of a contaminated cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

Five children are critically ill, with two admitted to AIIMS Nagpur, two in a government hospital, and one being treated at a private facility.

State Health Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said the children fell ill after consuming a cough syrup branded Coldrif, allegedly manufactured by a company based in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. The deaths occurred in Chhindwara, Betul, and Pandhurna districts.

"17 children from Chhindwara, two from Betul, and one from Pandhurna have tragically died," Shukla told reporters after visiting the affected families and children undergoing treatment.

“We are doing everything possible to save the remaining five who are being treated in Nagpur, Maharashtra.”

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the incident, and a case has been registered against the manufacturer of the Coldrif syrup. A police team from Chhindwara has already travelled to Kancheepuram to apprehend the company owner.

Shukla stressed that the government is taking the matter very seriously.

“We are taking the strictest possible action against those responsible,” he said.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Madhya Pradesh government has suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration. The state’s drug controller has also been transferred. Additionally, Dr Praveen Soni, a doctor from Chhindwara, has been arrested on charges of negligence.

The exact cause of contamination is yet to be formally confirmed, but initial investigations suggest the syrup contained toxic substances that may have led to acute kidney injuries in children.

Investigations are ongoing.

PTI inputs