At least 34 people have lost their lives after consuming toxic bootleg alcohol in the state of Tamil Nadu, Southern India, officials said. Reports say several residents fell ill after consuming the liquor on Tuesday night.
At least 80 other people are receiving treatment in hospitals for illnesses such as excessive diarrhoea and officials say the death toll could climb.
Two people are in custody as investigations continue.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced a compensation of one million rupees to families of those who are deceased and 50,000 rupees each to those who are hospitalised.
“Those involved in the crime have been arrested action has also been taken against the officials who failed to prevent it,” he wrote on X.
A senior police official has been suspended for negligence as well as several members of the state’s prohibition enforcement unit which controls the smuggling of illicit alcohol in the state.
Family members say they rushed victims to the hospital after most showed symptoms like dizziness, headaches, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and eye irritation.
Dozens of people die in India each year after drinking bootleg alcohol from backstreet distilleries.