Bagerhat:  At least 25 people fell sick after having panta-ilish, a traditional combination of rice soaked in water overnight and fried hilsa, during a Bangla New year celebration organised by Kachua upazila in Bagerhat on Thursday night.

Kachua police officer-in-charge Mohammad Shamser Ali, local journalists, teacher and people from other professions fell sick. The victims were taken to Kachua Upazila Health complex.

Local journalist Dihidar Jahidul Islam Bulu, who is admitted at hospital, said after having panta-ilish and other traditional foods at a function organised by the upazila authorities on Thursday morning, and fell sick at night. Later, he was admitted to hospital as his conditions deteriorated.

Kachua upazila health complex emergency department doctor Saiful Islam said around 25 people have been admitted to the hospital since about 12:00midnight due to food poisoning.