A minimum of 57 individuals lost their lives and dozens more were admitted to hospitals after they drank illegally brewed alcohol in Tamil Nadu, India. The event unfolded in the Kallakurichi district around June 18, 2024, with liquor found to be contaminated by methanol, an extremely poisonous compound. Over 156 victims are presently undergoing treatment in different hospitals, with the possibility of the death toll increasing due to some patients being in critical condition.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, acknowledged the deaths and revealed that the culprits had been apprehended. Stalin made a statement on the social media platform X, saying, “Such crimes that ruin the society will be suppressed with an iron fist.” The government has also taken punitive measures against officials who were unable to stop the distribution of the illegal alcohol.
The surge in methanol poisoning has stirred considerable anxiety within the local populace. Emergency medical services, physicians, and specialists have been mobilized to manage the crisis. Government representatives reported that numerous victims exhibited symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, and abdominal pain leading to a rapid police investigation.
Deaths due to the consumption of illegal alcohol are a recurring problem in India, especially among the economically disadvantaged who cannot afford licensed brands sold in government-regulated shops. Unlicensed alcohol sellers evade taxes and offer their products at cheaper prices, often spiking their brews with hazardous chemicals like methanol. Methanol, a component in products from paint thinners to fuel, can cause blindness, liver damage, and even death when consumed.
To tackle this calamity, the Tamil Nadu police have stepped up their efforts against the illegal alcohol syndicate. The state’s Director General of Police, Sylendra Babu, has given directives to limit the sale of methanol and other chemicals used in the manufacture of illegal alcohol across the state. Raids have been conducted in several districts, leading to the arrest of numerous individuals implicated in the illicit liquor trade.
Historically, such occurrences are not rare. In 2022, over 30 individuals succumbed to death in Bihar after drinking tainted alcohol, while another 28 passed away in Gujarat the same year. In 2020, a significant event in Punjab led to at least 120 fatalities from alcohol laced with methanol. These repetitive catastrophes highlight the risks posed by the illegal alcohol industry in India, where regulation and enforcement often prove insufficient.
The socio-economic factors driving this black market are complex and deeply entrenched. High poverty rates and the steep prices of legal alcohol compel many to resort to cheaper, unregulated options. Attempts to ban these products in some Indian states have only worsened the situation, as the demand for alcohol persists despite legal prohibitions. As a result, unlawful production and distribution networks continue to thrive, posing grave threats to public health.
