The death toll resulting from the recent incident of tainted liquor in Tamil Nadu has risen to 47, with over 100 individuals still hospitalized, according to a government official on Friday.
Since Wednesday, more than 150 people have required medical treatment for symptoms such as vomiting, stomachaches, and diarrhea after consuming methanol-contaminated alcohol produced in Kallakurichi district, located approximately 250 km (150 miles) from Chennai, the state capital.
As of Friday morning, 118 individuals remain under treatment in hospitals across the district and nearby areas, the official confirmed.
On Thursday, a government spokesperson initially reported 36 fatalities. Police have arrested four individuals involved in the illicit sale of liquor and confiscated 200 liters of the alcoholic beverage. Additionally, the state government has taken disciplinary action against 10 officials for their failure to prevent the incident.
Deaths linked to illegally produced alcohol, often referred to as “hooch” or “country liquor”, are unfortunately common in India, where many individuals cannot afford branded spirits. This has spurred calls from the public and activists for stricter measures against such sellers.
The Tamil Nadu government has pledged to identify those responsible for the production of methanol, a toxic chemical typically used in industrial applications.
Videos from ANI, a news agency partly owned by Reuters, and local media depict state ministers and opposition leaders visiting the district to meet with victims.
Footage also showed mass cremations of the deceased, with families conducting last rites in close proximity, reminiscent of scenes seen during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
A similar incident in a neighboring district of Tamil Nadu last year resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen people.
