At least 36 people have died and scores more have become violently ill after drinking tainted alcohol in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, according to reports.
A government spokesperson on Thursday said about 100 people were being treated in hospitals after suffering from vomiting, stomach aches and diarrhea in the Kallakurichi district, Reuters reported.
A top official in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said he was "shocked and saddened to hear the news," noting that those involved have been arrested and action has been taken against those "who failed to prevent it."
"Such crimes that ruin the society will be suppressed with an iron fist," Stalin said.
Four people were arrested and 200 liters of the methanol-mixed concoction were seized, Reuters reported.
At least 10 officials, including the district's chief administrator and police chief, have been suspended.
M.S. Prasanth, a district official, said the number of patients in critical condition continues to fluctuate, suggesting the death toll could increase, Al Jazeera reported.
Deaths from illegally produced alcohol, known locally as "hooch" or "country liquor," are common in India.
More than 30 people died in Bihar state and 28 died in Gujarat state after drinking tainted liquor in 2022.
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