At least 20 children — all under the age of five — have died in India’s Madhya Pradesh state after consuming a toxic cough syrup reportedly contaminated with a deadly chemical.

 

 

 

The syrup, known as Coldrif, was produced by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals, and tests revealed it contained diethylene glycol (DEG) — a highly poisonous substance used in industrial products like antifreeze — in quantities nearly 500 times above safe limits, according to Reuters.

 

 

 

 

The company’s owner, S. Ranganathan, has been arrested following the deaths, while authorities have banned the syrup and shut down the company permanently, reports say.

 

 

 

 

Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister, Rajendra Shukla, confirmed the incident, noting that most of the victims were from Chhindwara, Betul, and Pandhurna districts.

 

 

 

“The state government is very active in taking action in this matter. As soon as we came to know about the deaths, an immediate case was registered, and a Special Investigation Team was constituted,” Shukla said.

 

 

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has described DEG as a “toxic industrial chemical” that can be fatal even in small doses, particularly for children. The organisation said it is monitoring the case closely and has reached out to India’s drug regulatory agency for updates.

 

 

 

WHO later confirmed that DEG was detected in at least three oral syrup medicines consumed by the affected children. The contaminated medicines have been recalled, and the manufacturers ordered to halt all production.

 

 

 

This tragedy comes amid growing concern over India’s pharmaceutical safety, following similar incidents in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon, where contaminated syrups were also linked to child deaths.

 

 

 

The company owner now faces charges of culpable homicide, drug adulteration, and violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, according to the Times of India.

 

 

 

Authorities have vowed strict punishment for those responsible, as families mourn the loss of their children.