Death toll in Kallakurichi hooch tragedy rises to 54

Out of the total 193 people who fell ill after consuming ‘methanol mixed arrack’ in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi earlier this week, 54 have been reported dead as of June 22.

The officials said that the death toll in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy has risen to 54 which include 48 men and six women, while others are said to be safe."

"193 people who have consumed illicit liquor have come to the hospital. Out of which 193, 140 are currently safe, while few of them are on ventilators. Right now, 53 people have passed away," Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth said.

"So far, seven people have been arrested in the Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy case. The case has been given to the CBI CID branch of Tamil Nadu Police. The patients are being given best treatment. Special doctors were mobilized in the initial stage. About 56 doctors were brought in from different medical colleges. Many patients who had respiratory problems, have recovered too," the Kallakurichi Collector told news agency ANI.

According to reports, seven people have been arrested in connection with the sale of illicit liquor in the region, which is around 240 km away from the state capital, Chennai.

"So far, seven people have been arrested in the case. The case has been given to the CB-CID branch of Tamil Nadu Police. The patients are being given best treatment. Special doctors were mobilised in the initial stage. About 56 doctors were brought in from different medical colleges. Many patients who had respiratory problems, have recovered too," the Kallakurichi Collector said.

Meanwhile, 250 liters of the spurious alcohol was seized and disposed off in the state's Tiruchirapalli district by District Collector, Pradeep Kumar and Superintendent of Police, Varun Kumar who received an intelligence on Friday night.

Apart from the monetary compensation announced earlier by Chief Minister M K Stalin to the family of the deceased, he also said in the Tamil Nadu Assembly the state government will take care of the entire education and hostel expenses of children who have lost either one or both of their parents in the Kallkurichi tragedy.

Chief Minister Stalin had announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh for families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those receiving treatment.

After the incident, Tamil Nadu police has spurred into action and has filed 342 prohibition cases over the last two days, with Thanjavur recording the highest.

To crack down on illicit liquor activities across the state, Madurai District Collector MS Sangeetha also led a meeting to address the issue with joint efforts of administration and police. To curb the sale of illicit liquor, Mayiladuthurai district has provided contact numbers for calls and WhatsApp to report illegal liquor and banned tobacco sales.