The death toll from the recent incident of tainted liquor in Tamil Nadu, India, has risen to 47, with over 100 people still hospitalized, according to a government official on Friday.
The crisis began on Wednesday when more than 150 individuals fell ill with symptoms like vomiting, stomach aches, and diarrhea after consuming methanol-contaminated liquor produced in Kallakurichi district, about 250 km from Chennai, the state capital.
As of Friday morning, 118 people remain under treatment in hospitals across the district and nearby areas. Initially, on Thursday, government sources reported 36 fatalities from the incident.
Authorities have taken swift action in response, arresting four individuals involved in illegal liquor sales and confiscating 200 liters of the toxic alcohol.
Additionally, disciplinary measures have been initiated against 10 officials for their failure to prevent the distribution of illicit liquor.
Deaths from illicitly produced alcohol, commonly known as “hooch” or “country liquor,” are unfortunately frequent in India, particularly among those who cannot afford commercially branded spirits.
Public outcry and activists consistently demand stricter enforcement against such sellers.
The Tamil Nadu government has committed to identifying those responsible for methanol production, a hazardous substance typically used in industrial contexts.
Media reports, including footage from ANI and local sources, depict state ministers and opposition leaders visiting the affected district to meet with victims.
Videos also captured the somber scenes of mass cremations for the deceased, with families conducting last rites in close proximity, reminiscent of the challenges faced during India’s COVID-19 pandemic peak.
Last year, a similar incident in a nearby district of Tamil Nadu resulted in more than a dozen deaths.
