Ecstasy fears as two die and several ill after possible contamination Ecstasy: the possibly contaminated batch of drugs is believed to include coloured and heart-shaped tablets (not pictured). Photograph: Rex Features/Sakki Two people have died in two days and several others are in hospital after possibly taking contaminated ecstasy tablets, police have said. Greater Manchester police said it was investigating whether a batch of the illegal drugs circulating in the area could have led to the deaths of the two "apparently fit young men." Gareth Ashton, 28, died at Wigan infirmary on Monday, and a 19-year-old, named in the local press as Jordan Chambers, died at Oldham hospital on Sunday, according to officers. Both were admitted to hospital after feeling unwell and displayed the same symptoms. Toxicology tests are due to take place to establish their cause of death. Police have also been made aware of a number of other people who have been admitted to hospital with similar symptoms in the past few days. The contaminated drugs are believed to be coloured and heart-shaped ecstasy tablets. Detective Chief Inspector Howard Millington from Wigan CID said: "We are very concerned at how these deaths of two apparently fit young men have occurred. It is believed several other people have been admitted to hospital suffering from similar symptoms. It is possible that they are linked and this is something we are exploring as part of the investigation. Our main concern is that there may be a contaminated quantity of illegal drugs and if this goes unchecked it could result in further deaths. The drugs are believed to be ecstasy tablets, heart-shaped in purple, green, yellow and blue. If you are suffering adverse effects after taking one of these tablets I would advise you to go to hospital for a checkup. If you have any information, I would ask you to contact police as soon as possible. We will treat the details you supply with the strictest of confidence. Millington warned against taking illegal drugs. "They can contain poisons and illicit chemicals that can have potentially fatal effects," he added. Anyone with information can phone police on 0161 856 7149 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.