Tragedy struck in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu as at least 54 individuals lost their lives and many more remain hospitalized due to consuming alcohol contaminated with methanol.
Over 200 individuals sought medical treatment in Kallakurichi district since Wednesday, with over 100 still under care in various hospitals.
The tainted liquor claimed the lives of 48 men and 6 women by Saturday, while others are battling symptoms like vomiting, stomach aches, and diarrhea.
Illegal alcohol consumption is common due to affordability issues, leading to such unfortunate incidents where vendors add methanol to boost the drink’s potency.
Methanol, a dangerous chemical used in industries, can cause blindness, liver damage, or even death in small doses.
Authorities have arrested seven individuals and confiscated 200 liters of the illicit alcohol, as per senior district official MS Prasanth.
The Tamil Nadu government has taken action against 10 officials responsible for managing illegal alcohol and failing to prevent the tragedy.
Chief Minister MK Stalin announced financial compensation for victims’ families and ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.
State ministers and opposition leaders visited the district to support victims and their families, criticizing the government’s failure to prevent such mass poisonings.
A collective cremation has been conducted for the deceased, with families performing last rites side by side.
Similar incidents have occurred in the past, with over a dozen deaths last year in a neighboring district of Tamil Nadu and over 120 fatalities in Punjab in 2020.
In 2022, more than 30 individuals lost their lives in Bihar, and at least 28…
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