At least 63 people have died and more than a hundred have been hospitalized after consuming adulterated alcoholic beverages sold illegally in southern India.
On Monday, authorities’ first assessment of the incident put 56 people dead.
The poisoning occurred in the Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu, southern India.
Some people went blind, others fainted in the street, and others died before they could reach the hospital.
The most disadvantaged workers, mostly men in the agricultural sector, regularly buy arak, a drink common in South and Southeast Asia.
In India, the drink is sold on the streets in plastic bags for 60 rupees (0.70 euros).
Political parties in Tamil Nadu have blamed each other for the deaths caused by the adulterated drink.
Some opposition lawmakers were even expelled from local parliament after organizing a demonstration on Wednesday demanding the resignation of the state government chief.
Hundreds of people die every year in India due to toxic batches of drinks produced in underground distilleries.
These drinks are often added with substances such as methanol to enhance the effects, which can cause blindness, liver damage or death.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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