At least 63 people died and more than a hundred were hospitalized after drinking an adulterated alcoholic drink sold illegally in southern India.
On Monday, the authorities’ first assessment of the incident indicated that 56 people had died.
The poisoning occurred in the Kallakurichi district, in the state of Tamil Nadu, southern India.
Some people went blind, others fainted in the street and others died before they could reach the hospital.
The most disadvantaged workers, mainly men employed in the agricultural sector, regularly buy “arrack”, a drink common in South and Southeast Asia.
In India, the drink is sold on the streets, in plastic bags, for 60 rupees (0.70 euros).
Political parties in the state of Tamil Nadu accused each other of the deaths caused by the adulterated drink.
Some opposition deputies were even expelled from the local Parliament, after having organized a demonstration on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of the head of the state government.
Hundreds of people die every year in India as a result of toxic batches of drinks produced in clandestine distilleries.
Substances such as methanol are often added to these drinks to increase the effects, which can cause blindness, liver damage or death.
