Bodies of people who died after consuming toxic liquor are cremated in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu state, India [Reuters]
At least 54 people have lost their lives and dozens remain hospitalized after consuming methanol-laced alcohol in Tamil Nadu, India. This tragic event highlights the dangers of illegal alcohol consumption in the region.
In the Kallakurichi district, nearly 200 people have been treated since Wednesday, with over 100 still receiving care in various hospitals. The victims include 48 men and six women, who succumbed to symptoms such as vomiting, stomach aches, and diarrhea. This incident underscores the severe risks associated with bootleg alcohol, often sold by vendors seeking high profits from customers who can’t afford branded drinks.
Illegal Alcohol Sales and Methanol Poisoning
People frequently purchase illegal alcohol due to the high cost of branded spirits, leading to tragic outcomes when vendors add methanol to increase the drink’s potency. Methanol, a toxic industrial chemical, can cause blindness, liver damage, or death even in small amounts. This dangerous practice has once again resulted in a mass casualty event in Tamil Nadu.
Senior district official MS Prasanth reported that authorities have arrested at least seven individuals and seized 200 liters (6,763 fluid ounces) of the illicit alcohol. In response to the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu government has taken disciplinary action against 10 officials responsible for managing illegal alcohol, aiming to prevent such incidents in the future.
Government Response and Public Outcry
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced financial compensation for the families of the victims and those hospitalized. Additionally, he has ordered an investigation led by a former High Court judge to uncover the details of this incident. State ministers and opposition leaders, critical of the government’s failure to prevent such poisonings, have visited the district to meet with victims and their families.
A mass cremation for the deceased has already taken place, with families conducting last rites side by side. This somber event marks another instance of preventable deaths due to toxic alcohol in India.
Recurring Tragedies in India
This is not an isolated incident in Tamil Nadu. Last year, a similar event in a nearby district claimed more than a dozen lives. In 2020, over 120 people died in Punjab from tainted alcohol, and in 2022, more than 30 people perished in Bihar and at least 28 in Gujarat due to unauthorized liquor sales.
Efforts to Combat Illegal Alcohol
Efforts to combat the sale of illegal alcohol must be intensified to prevent further tragedies. The financial strain on individuals leads them to purchase dangerous, unregulated alcohol, resulting in recurrent mass poisonings. The government and law enforcement agencies need to strengthen measures to curb the production and distribution of bootleg liquor, ensuring such incidents do not recur.
Conclusion
The recent methanol poisoning in Tamil Nadu is a grim reminder of the ongoing issue of illegal alcohol in India. As authorities work to hold those responsible accountable and support the affected families, the need for stricter regulation and better enforcement becomes ever more apparent. Addressing the root causes of these tragedies is essential to safeguard public health and prevent future loss of life.
#TamilNadu #MethanolPoisoning #IllegalAlcohol #PublicHealthCrisis #IndiaNews