Tamil Nadu, located in southern India, recently reported that 53 people lost their lives after consuming alcohol mixed with industrial alcohol methanol, a poisonous substance. The incident took place on June 18 and resulted in over 100 individuals being hospitalized. Unfortunately, many of the victims were in critical condition and could not be saved by medical professionals.
On June 22, MS Prasanth, a senior official in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu state, confirmed that a total of 53 people had died as a result of the poisoning, with 7 individuals involved in the case being detained by authorities. Despite reports from Indian media outlets claiming that 56 deaths had occurred, no official statement has been made by the country’s government regarding this figure. One local councilor named Palraj explained that many impoverished workers in Kallakurichi district regularly purchase inexpensive alcohol for as little as 60 rupees ($0.70) per bag to consume before heading to work.
Every year, India sees numerous fatalities due to the consumption of cheap alcohol obtained from illicit distilleries. The tragic incident in Tamil Nadu state is considered one of the most severe cases of poisoning in the country in recent times. It is common practice for distilleries in India to mix methanol with alcohol in order to boost its potency. Methanol, a toxic byproduct of wood distillation, can cause blindness, liver damage, and even death when ingested.
This is not the first time India has experienced such a calamity. In Bihar state last year, 27 individuals lost their lives due to alcohol poisoning
