Bhadrak: At least six persons died and many others were taken ill after consuming liquor last night in Parihat area under Tihidi block of Odisha's Bhadrak district.

The deceased have been identified as Sadhu Charan Nayak, Sarbeswar Das, Rama Chandra Padihari, Sankarsan Parida, Krushna Chandra Nayak and Manoj Mohanty.

Several persons in the locality had reportedly consumed liquor yesterday after conclusion of elections in the area. Later, some of them complained of uneasiness and fell unconscious.

Around 26 victims are undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital. Tension gripped the region after the deaths as locals blocked Tihidi-Chandbali road by burning tyres.

"They had not purchased the liquor from any shop. We suspect that it was spurious in nature. We have initiated an investigation at administrative level to ascertain the circumstances under which they consumed the liquor," said Bhadrak Collector Gyana Das.