Tamil Nadu Liquor Tragedy: 29 Dead, Dozens Hospitalized

A tragic incident was reported in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district. 29 people have died after consuming toxic liquor.

At least 68 other people had also consumed alcohol they have been admitted to the hospital. 18 have been taken to JIPMER in Puducherry and six to the Medical College and Hospital in Salem for advanced treatment.

Many of the victims were from the Karunapuram area. A grieving mother shared, “My son complained of severe stomach pain and had trouble opening his eyes. He mentioned drinking arrack. Initially, the hospital turned him away, saying he was just drunk. The state government needs to shut down all liquor shops.”

Another heartbroken parent said, “My son was in excruciating pain and lost his ability to see and hear. This tragedy shouldn’t happen to anyone else. Liquor sales must stop.”

Police have arrested a suspected bootlegger and detained two others. A senior police officer confirmed, “These deaths were caused by toxic liquor. We are investigating the exact substance they consumed. At least three of the four who died had liquor from private sources, not from government-run shops.”

The state government released a statement saying 26 people had consumed arrack from packets and that forensic tests revealed poisonous methanol. As a result, district police chief Samay Singh Meena has been suspended and replaced by Rajat Chaturvedi. Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath has been replaced by MS Prasanth. Additionally, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, three inspectors, and three sub-inspectors from the prohibition enforcement wing were also suspended.

The probe into this toxic liquor tragedy has been handed over to the CB-CID.

Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his shock and pain over the loss of lives in a post on X. “The accused have been arrested, and actions have been taken against the officials who failed to prevent this. We will crack down with an iron hand. If the public reports such activities, we will take action.”

Stalin dispatched two ministers, including Health Minister Ma Subramaniam, to Kallakurichi to ensure that the affected received all possible medical assistance.

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The incident came to light yesterday after three people died over the past three days. Despite initial rumors about toxic liquor being the cause, District Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath initially dismissed such claims. “These deaths happened over three days. One of them was a teetotaler and another had a stomach problem. No one died in the hospital, and none were admitted in an inebriated state. In the commotion, someone mentioned illicit liquor, and it spread. We are investigating,” he said.

This tragedy is viewed as a significant failure by intelligence agencies and the prohibition enforcement wing. Last year, 22 people died in Tamil Nadu due to methanol poisoning.

AIADMK chief and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami criticized the ruling DMK for failing to curb the toxic liquor problem, even after he had previously highlighted it. “I urge Chief Minister MK Stalin to take stringent action to curb toxic liquor instead of just playing with words like last time, when they called it methanol and not toxic liquor.”

State BJP chief K Annamalai accused the DMK of not learning its lesson after last year’s deaths due to toxic liquor. Governor RN Ravi commented on X, “This reflects continuing lapses in preventing the production and consumption of illicit liquor. It is a matter of serious concern.”

This devastating event has highlighted the urgent need for stricter controls and enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future.