Five people died in Lakhai upazila of Habiganj after consuming an intoxicating liquid, police said. They became ill after drinking the substance on Tuesday night and died at different times on Wednesday and Thursday. Police recovered one body and sent it to the morgue at Habiganj Sadar Modern Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The dead were Sudeb Das, 60, and Sujit Das, 35, of Morakari village; Nandalal Rabidas, 52, and his wife Subi Rabidas, 40, of Bhadikara village; and Ranjit, 45, from the Chowdhury Bazar area of Habiganj town. Local sources said they regularly collected an alcohol-based liquid from Hanimann Homeo Hall in Morakari Bazar for intoxication.

Sujit died while being taken to Brahmanbaria District Sadar Hospital, Sudeb died at Habiganj District Sadar Hospital, and Ranjit died while being taken to Dhaka. Nandalal and Subi died at home. Lakhai police station officer-in-charge Sharif Ahmed said some bodies were cremated without police being informed. Police are examining the liquid’s source, whether it contained toxic substances, and possible involvement of others.