Kalakurchi Hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 57

The death toll in the hooch tragedy in Kalakurichi district has risen to 57, with one more killed on the night of Sunday, June 23.

Also read: The Kalkorichi Hoch tragedy: yeast from methanol and insensitivity

So far 32 people have died in the Government Kalakurchi Medical College and Hospital. 18 at Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital, Salem. four at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital; and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmar) in Puducherry.

32 deaths were reported from Karunapuram, the epicenter of the tragedy, followed by Kalkurichi, Madhavacherri and Seshasamudram.

A total of 156 people, including five women and one transperson, are undergoing treatment in hospitals. So far, seven persons including two women have been discharged.

Meanwhile, police on Sunday, June 23, 2024, arrested 30-year-old Sivakumar, who is suspected to be one of the main suppliers of methanol to illegal liquor sellers, including hooch in Kalakurichiros. The death toll in the tragedy has reached 56.

A Central Investigation Unit of the Enforcement Wing of the Tamil Nadu Police arrested Sivakumar in the early hours of Sunday, who was hiding at his sister's house in Solapalam, Chennai. He was handed over to CB-CID for further investigation.