Kallakurichi, India — At least 54 individuals have died and many more remain hospitalized in the Tamil Nadu region of India after consuming bootleg alcohol contaminated with methanol. The tragic incident began unfolding on Wednesday, with officials now scrambling to counter the widespread impact of this poisonous concoquetion.
Local authorities have reported that nearly 200 people required medical attention since the incident, with continuing efforts to treat the affected individuals across several hospitals. Victims, including 48 men and six ongoing woman, displayed severe symptoms ranging from vomiting and stomach aches to life-threatening diarrheal conditions before succumbing to the toxic effects of the methanol-laced liquor.
In response to the crisis, authorities have arrested seven individuals suspected of involvement in the distribution of the tainted alcohol, and have seized around 200 liters of the illegal concoction. Illegal alcohol, often sold at significantly lower prices than legally branded spirits, is a recurrent problem in parts of India where the high cost of official alcohol drives many to riskier, illicit alternatives.
Methanol, a potent industrial solvent, can be deadly in even small amounts and is strictly prohibited for use in consumable products. Its effects can range from organ failure to fatal outcomes, making its presence in bootleg liquor particularly hazardous.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu government has taken disciplinary action against ten officials deemed negligent in supervising and curbing the circulation of illegal alcohol. Chief Minister MK Stalin has stepped forward, promising financial compensation for the families of the deceased and the hospitalized victims. Furthermore, Stalin has appointed a former High Court judge to lead a thorough investigation into the matter.
As the local community grapples with this devastating event, state ministers and opposition leaders have visited the district, expressing their condolences and concern. Criticisms over the government’s ability to prevent such incidents have surged, prompting calls for better regulation and oversight of alcohol sales.
The village has already conducted a mass cremation for many of the victims, marking a solemn moment of communal grief as families performed the last rites side by side.
This incident in Tamil Nadu is not isolated, echoing past tragedies caused by illicit alcohol in India. Last year, a similar event claimed multiple lives in a nearby district, while the northern state of Punjab witnessed over 120 deaths in 2020 linked to toxic liquor. Further fatalities have been reported in Bihar and Gujarat as recently as 2022, underlining a persistent and lethal issue with unregulated alcohol in various regions of the country. Such recurring incidents spotlight the urgent need for stringent monitoring and enforcement of alcohol sales and production, along with increased public awareness on the dangers of consuming uncertified drinks.