Chennai, India – A devastating incident involving a batch of toxic illegal alcohol has claimed the lives of at least 34 people and left over 100 others hospitalized in Tamil Nadu, state officials reported on Thursday.
The tragic deaths have been attributed to a locally brewed arrack drink, which was found to be laced with poisonous methanol. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin confirmed the details, as reported by the Press Trust of India news agency. In a stern statement, Stalin announced that arrests have been made in connection with the deaths, emphasizing that such criminal activities “ruin society and will be suppressed with an iron fist.”
The consumption of illegal alcohol is a recurrent issue in India, with hundreds of fatalities reported annually from cheaply made liquor produced in unregulated backstreet distilleries. To increase potency, methanol is often added to these brews, resulting in severe consequences such as blindness, liver damage, and death.
In the current case, the victims were primarily from the Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu. M.S. Prasanth, a senior government official, confirmed that more than 100 individuals have been hospitalized, with many in critical condition. State Governor R.N. Ravi expressed his deep shock and concern over the incident, noting on the social media platform X that “many more victims are in serious condition battling for [their] lives.”
While Tamil Nadu is not a dry state, the black market for alcohol thrives due to the lower prices of illicit liquor compared to legally sold alcohol. This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the illegal alcohol trade.
India has witnessed several similar tragedies in recent years. Last year, at least 27 people died after consuming poisonous alcohol in Bihar, a state where liquor is prohibited. In 2022, a similar incident in Gujarat resulted in the deaths of at least 42 individuals.
Authorities continue to investigate the latest incident, with Chief Minister Stalin vowing strict action against those responsible. The government’s response highlights the ongoing challenges in regulating the production and sale of alcohol in the country and the urgent need for measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.