KALLAKURICHI: 10 people died and more than 20 people were hospitalised on Wednesday after they consumed illicit arrack in Kallakurichi town in
Tamil Nadu on Tuesday night. However, Kallakurichi district collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath said the cause of the death was yet to be ascertained.
Police said a group of daily wage earners consumed illicit arrack sold by bootleggers at Karunapuram in the town limits on Tuesday night.
On reaching home, most of them complained of giddiness, headache, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and irritation in the eyes. Their family members rushed them to a private hospital and Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital where four of them died despite medical attention.
More than 20 people were admitted to Government Medical College, and more than 10 were referred to Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry for advanced treatment.
The district collector said, “The cause of death was yet to be ascertained. Three people died in their homes. One man died after complaining of stomach pain. Another suffered fits and died. One man died of age-old problems. We have collected blood samples and sent them to forensic laboratories in Villupuram and Jipmer. We will be able to ascertain the cause of death only after receiving the test results from the forensic laboratories in Villupuram and Jipmer,” said the collector.
It may be recalled that 22 people died after they consumed illicit arrack in a village in Villupuram district in May last year.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays, public holidays, and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.