Toxic liquor kills 34 in southern India

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – At least 34 people were killed and dozens of others hospitalized after consuming illicit liquor in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, officials said on Thursday.

State Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed shock and sadness over the incident in Kallakurichi district, and said the locally brewed drink was laced with methanol.​​​​​​​

“Those involved in the crime have been arrested in this matter. Action has also been taken against the officials who failed to prevent it,” Stalin wrote on X late Wednesday.

Kallakurichi’s district collector M S Prasanth said as many as 109 people were being treated in hospitals.

Dozens of people die in the South Asian country each year after drinking bootleg alcohol from backstreet distilleries.