The death toll from tainted liquor consumption in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu has tragically risen to 54. Over 100 people remain hospitalized after consuming liquor laced with methanol in the district of Kallakurichi, approximately 250 km (150 miles) from Chennai, the state capital.
Since Wednesday, nearly 200 individuals have sought medical treatment for symptoms including vomiting, stomach aches, and diarrhea. Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the incident and have already arrested seven individuals. Follow-up actions are underway against liquor sellers and brewers in the affected district.
Illegally produced alcohol, commonly referred to as “country liquor,” continues to pose a significant risk in India, where many cannot afford branded spirits. Despite public demands for stricter regulation of vendors, such incidents persist.
The state government is now taking measures to identify those involved in the production of methanol—a toxic chemical typically used for industrial purposes.
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