At least 29 people have died in India after drinking adulterated alcohol. According to initial investigations, the victims in the state of Gujarat drank a mixture of water, methanol and other chemicals, said a police spokesman for the German Press Agency on Tuesday. Methanol is a chemical compound from the alcohol group of substances, the consumption of which is extremely dangerous for humans. Three people were arrested in this connection and the police had seized around 600 liters of the allegedly adulterated alcohol since Monday.
The tragedy came to light after more and more villagers who had consumed the alcohol were rushed to hospitals on Monday. At least 30 people are in critical condition, local television station NDTV reported.
In India, hundreds of mostly poor people die each year from consuming adulterated alcohol, which is cheaper than commercially produced alcohol. There are also Indian states in which the sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited – including in the state of Gujarat, which was affected this time. There are only a few government-licensed liquor stores that sell alcohol to residents with special permits and foreigners. Critics argue that alcohol bans encourage the manufacture and consumption of illicit alcohol.
