2015 Mumbai alcohol poisoning incident

On June 17, 2015, a number of people fell ill after drinking contaminated alcohol in the Laxmi Nagar slum in Malad, located in Mumbai, India.[1] As of June 20, at least 90 people had died as a result of drinking this alcohol.[2][3] Another 31 people were hospitalised as a result of the incident.[4] The incident has been described as the worst of its kind in over a decade.[5]

Background

Alcohol poisoning incidents are common in India, where poor people often cannot afford licensed liquor. In 2004, 104 people died after drinking contaminated alcohol in the Mumbai neighbourhood of Vikhroli.[3]

Arrests

By 22 June, 2015, seven people have been arrested, and eight police officers have also been suspended for negligence, in connection with the incident. The people who were arrested are believed to have transported the liquor to workers. The prime suspect, Mainka Bai, a woman, was absconding as of 22 June 2015. The arrested included two women: Mamta Rathod (aged 30) and Agnes Gracy alias Aunty (aged 50).[5][3][6]

Cause

According to police, the victims suffered methanol poisoning from methanol that had been added to the liquor to increase its potency.[1]

Reaction

The government of India has announced that it will compensate the families of the victims of the incident with 100,000 rupees, the equivalent of $1,575 in US dollars.[7]

Wikinews has related news: Dozens dead in Mumbai after consuming toxic alcohol

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Bengali, Shashank (20 June 2015). "84 dead in India after drinking toxic homemade liquor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  2. "India toxic alcohol kills 84 in Mumbai". BBC News. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Toxic alcohol kills scores in India's Mumbai". Al Jazeera. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  4. "Tainted Liquor Kills 84 in India's Financial Hub of Mumbai". ABC News. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 Najar, Nida (20 June 2015). "Toxic Liquor in India Kills at Least 84". New York Times. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  6. "Mumbai Hooch Tragedy: Toll Mounts to 102, Cong Demands CM's Resignation". Outlook. 2015-06-22. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  7. "India alcohol poisoning: Mumbai death toll tops 100". BBC News. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.

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