Union Minister Virendra Kumar Reacts to Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi [India], June 25: Union Minister Virendra Kumar expressed his sorrow over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu, which has claimed 59 lives so far. He stated that the tragedy could have been averted if proper action had been taken against those involved in the incident.

In a conversation, Kumar said, “Kallakurichi hooch tragedy is very unfortunate. 59 people have lost their life in this tragedy and more than 100 people are hospitalised…We condemn this incident…”

He stressed that proper action should be taken against the culprits, adding, “Who is responsible for the deaths? If action had been taken against those involved in these kinds of incidents, this tragedy could have been averted…Proper action should be taken against people involved in illicit liquor.”

Meanwhile, the death toll in the hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district rose to 59 on Tuesday, according to the district administration. The victims include 32 persons at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital, 20 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in Salem, four at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital, and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry.

A total of 111 persons are undergoing treatment at Kallakurichi Government Medical College hospital, 11 in Puducherry, 30 in Salem district, and four in Villupuram district. One person is undergoing treatment at Royapetta Hospital in Chennai. A total of 223 patients were admitted to four hospitals after consuming illicit liquor.