At least 36 die in India after drinking tainted liquor

20/6/2024 17:11

        At least 36 people died and more than 60 were being treated in hospitals after consuming tainted liquor in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, a government spokesperson said on Thursday.
        
        A government spokesperson said, since Wednesday over 100 people, suffering from vomiting, stomach ache and diarrhoea, have needed hospital treatment in the Kallakurichi district, 250 km by road from the state capital Chennai.
        
        The state government said it had taken disciplinary action against at least 10 officials, including the district's chief administrator and its police chief.
        
        Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said in a post on X, "I was shocked and saddened to hear the news ... Action has also been taken against the officials who failed to prevent it.
        
        The state government said, police arrested four people over the sale of illicit liquor and seized 200 litres of the methanol-mixed alcoholic drink.
        
        Deaths from illegally produced alcohol, known locally as "hooch" or "country liquor", are a regular occurrence in India, where many cannot afford branded spirits.