Bhubaneswar, Aug 27 (IANS): At least two persons died and six fell severely ill after allegedly consuming mango kernel gruel in Odisha's tribal-dominated Rayagada district, an official said on Saturday.

Six persons have been admitted to a community hospital in Kashipur block of the district.

While a minor boy had died on Thursday, a 60-year-old man passed away in the hospital on Saturday, the official said. They had consumed mango kernel gruel in Sipijodi village of Talajhiri panchayat under Kashipur block.

The deceased have been identified as Ranjan Kumar Majhi (13) and Shiva Majhi (60).

According to the villagers, the tribals had prepared gruel from mango seeds and ate it. Ranjan died of diarrhoea while seven others including his parents were rushed to Kashipur community hospital.

"We are conducting an inquiry to know whether they had consumed mango kernel or it was a case of food poisoning. A team of doctors is inquiring into the matter and steps would be taken accordingly," Rayagada Additional District Magistrate Laxmikant Behera said.