At least 21 people have died and 10 others are fighting for their lives after consuming toxic moonshine laced with lethal methanol in villages near Amritsar, India.
At a Glance
- At least 21 people died and 10 others are hospitalized after consuming methanol-laced liquor in villages near Amritsar, Punjab
- Nine individuals have been arrested for allegedly supplying the toxic alcohol
- The contaminated moonshine contained methanol, which can cause blindness, liver damage, and death
- Police have launched a crackdown to dismantle the network of illegal liquor suppliers in the region
- Similar tragedies are common in India, with hundreds dying annually from backstreet liquor operations
Deadly Moonshine Claims Lives in Northern India
The death toll from toxic moonshine consumption has climbed to 21 in villages surrounding Amritsar in India’s Punjab state. Officials report 10 additional victims remain hospitalized in critical condition after consuming the illegally produced alcohol. The tragedy unfolded across five villages approximately 12 miles from Amritsar city when residents drank home-brewed liquor contaminated with methanol, a substance often added to increase potency but which carries deadly risks.
Authorities have moved swiftly to contain the crisis, with police arresting nine individuals connected to the production and distribution of the toxic alcohol. Investigators are working to identify all components in the deadly mixture, though preliminary findings point to methanol as the primary toxic agent. This poisonous substance is frequently used in illegal liquor operations despite its ability to cause blindness, organ damage, and death even in small quantities.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Local officials have deployed medical teams to the affected villages to identify and treat anyone who may have consumed the contaminated alcohol. The rapid response aims to prevent the death toll from rising further as authorities work to locate all potential victims. Medical personnel are conducting door-to-door checks and transferring symptomatic individuals to hospitals for immediate treatment.
“The local administration deployed medics to the villages to check on people who drank the contaminated liquor,” said Sakshi Sawhney, a senior government official in Amritsar. “Those showing symptoms are being shifted to hospitals to ensure the death toll doesn’t rise.”
Senior police officer Maninder Singh confirmed seven initial arrests, stating: “Seven people were arrested on allegations they supplied the toxic liquor in five villages around 19 kilometers (12 miles) from the city of Amritsar.” Two additional suspects have since been detained as the investigation expands. Punjab police indicated that a thorough probe is underway “to uncover the entire modus operandi and to bring all involved to justice.”
A Recurring National Crisis
This incident highlights a persistent problem across India, where hundreds die annually from consuming illegally produced alcohol. These homemade spirits, known locally as “desi daru” or “hooch,” are popular in rural and impoverished areas due to their low cost compared to commercially produced alcohol. However, the production methods are crude and unregulated, often involving dangerous additives to increase potency.
“Now death toll is 21. And 10 admitted in hospitals,” Amritsar district’s public relations officer confirmed in an updated statement on the worsening crisis.
The Amritsar tragedy follows a similar incident just last year in Tamil Nadu state, where 53 people lost their lives after consuming toxic moonshine. Punjab’s chief minister, Bhagwant Mann, has vowed to punish those responsible for the current disaster. Despite repeated incidents and government promises, illegal liquor continues to claim lives across the country, pointing to deeper regulatory and enforcement challenges that remain unresolved.
