1 dead, 15 fall ill after New Year party in Hyderabad

New Year celebrations took a tragic turn in Hyderabad after one person died and 15 others fell seriously ill following a late-night party. The incident occurred in Bhavani Nagar under the Jagadgirigutta Police Station limits of the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate.

Police said a group of 17 friends welcomed the New Year at a welfare association hall, where they consumed biryani and liquor. Shortly after returning home past midnight, several of them complained of illness. One man, identified as Pandu (53), died before he could be rushed to hospital, while 15 others were admitted to Narayana Malla Reddy Hospital. Food poisoning is suspected to be the cause.

Authorities have registered a case and sent samples of leftover food and liquor for laboratory analysis. Meanwhile, police said New Year night also saw multiple drunk-driving incidents across the city, with over 2,000 motorists booked during special checks, underscoring the risks associated with unsafe celebrations.