At least 37 people were killed and around 100 others hospitalised following the consumption of tainted bootleg liquor in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, local media reported Thursday.
The deaths have been reported from Kallakurichi town, about 244 km southwest of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.
"Officials have confirmed the deaths of 37 people altogether after they consumed illicit liquor," a New Delhi-based television news channel NDTV said.
According to officials, the death toll is likely to go up owing to the critical condition of many people admitted in hospitals.
The state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said over 100 people are undergoing treatment at different hospitals.
The broadcaster said the district collector (seniormost official of the district) of Kallakurichi has been transferred and 10 other officials including a senior police officer have been suspended.
Police have arrested one person and detained two others in connection with the sale of illicit liquor.
"The accused bootlegger has been arrested and 200 liters of illicit liquor has been seized from him and sent for examination," AIR said.
Officials said most of the victims consumed the spurious liquor on Tuesday night and it started to take effect by Wednesday after people complained of blurred vision, intense abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Most of the victims are daily-wage workers, who can not afford liquor sold at government-licensed shops.
According to local health officials, the deaths occurred because of high methanol content in the liquor.
On Thursday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin ordered a thorough inquiry into the tragedy.
The chief minister also announced a monetary compensation of 1 million Indian rupees (11,972 U.S. dollars) each to the families of the deceased and 598 dollars each for those undergoing treatment.
Spurious alcohol deaths are often reported in India, where people often drink cheap country-made bootleg liquor.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi