Two software engineers from Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district died after allegedly choking on food following heavy alcohol consumption with friends, police said on Wednesday. The incident has raised concerns over unsafe drinking practices and health risks associated with excessive alcohol intake.
Incident during gathering with friends
The deceased were identified as Mani Kumar (35) and Pushparaj (27), both residents of the same village in Annamayya district. According to police, the two met four of their friends on January 17 and consumed beer together for several hours.
Rayachoti Deputy Superintendent of Police Krishna Mohan said the group purchased 19 beer cans and consumed them between 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm. During this period, Kumar reportedly consumed around six beer cans, while Pushparaj had nearly five.
Sudden collapse and deaths
Police said that while returning home, Mani Kumar suddenly collapsed and complained of breathing difficulty. Friends immediately rushed him to a hospital, where he was declared dead. Pushparaj’s condition also deteriorated later in the evening, and he died around 10 pm, officials said.
Preliminary investigation indicated that Kumar was already intoxicated before consuming beer and that excessive alcohol intake, combined with food getting lodged in the airway, may have led to respiratory distress in both cases.
Probe and medical examination
On January 18, Kumar’s father Narasimha lodged a complaint stating that the cause of death was unclear. Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS).
The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination. Police also sent samples from the beer cans used during the gathering for laboratory testing, which confirmed there were no impurities. Blood and other biological samples of the deceased have been sent for further analysis.
Officials urge caution
Police officials cautioned against excessive alcohol consumption and stressed the importance of moderation and awareness of health risks, especially during social gatherings.