- At least 31 lives lost and over 60 hospitalized
- State government suspends 10 officials
- This tragedy mirrors a similar event from last year
At least 31 individuals have tragically lost their lives in Tamil Nadu, India, after consuming contaminated liquor, with over 60 others currently undergoing treatment in local hospitals, officials confirmed on Thursday (June 20).
Since Wednesday, more than 100 people have been hospitalized in Kallakurichi district, situated 250km from Chennai, suffering from symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea, a spokesperson stated.
The state government swiftly responded by suspending 10 officials, including the district’s collector and police chief, in connection with the illicit alcohol incident.
“I was shocked and saddened to hear the news… Action has also been taken against the officials who failed to prevent it,” expressed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in a statement.
Authorities have arrested a suspect named Govindaraj, 49, for selling the illicit liquor and have seized 200 liters of the methanol-laced alcoholic beverage.
Disturbing visuals emerged from the scene, depicting healthcare workers transporting patients in ambulances and mourners gathered outside a local mortuary in Kallakurichi.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy from last year in a neighboring district of Tamil Nadu, where more than a dozen people lost their lives under comparable circumstances.
