11 dead and nearly 35 hospitalized after suspected illicit-liquor poisoning in India’s Madhya Pradesh

At least 11 people have died in India’s Madhya Pradesh after allegedly drinking illicit liquor, with nearly 35 others hospitalized in the Sagar district.

The cases emerged in at least four villages after people reportedly consumed the liquor on the night of Sept. 5. Patients showed symptoms including bluish discoloration of the body and muscle stiffness. Those in serious condition were referred to Bundelkhand Medical College and the District Hospital in Sagar.

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I have instructed the concerned minister and officials to visit the site immediately; we will take the strictest possible action and conduct an inquiry.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered a probe and promised the “strictest possible action” against those responsible. “I have instructed the concerned minister and officials to visit the site immediately; we will take the strictest possible action and conduct an inquiry,” he said. Yadav also told the IANS news agency that his government would “absolutely not tolerate such incidents.”

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Our government will absolutely not tolerate such incidents.

District Collector Pratibha Pal said reports of illness and deaths linked to suspected illicit liquor had emerged since morning, and that an investigation was underway at the Civil Hospital. Medical teams were screening residents in affected villages and bringing people who had consumed the suspected liquor to hospitals for examination.

Pal urged anyone who had consumed alcohol in the previous 24 to 48 hours to seek medical screening, especially if symptoms associated with toxic liquor appeared. Authorities sealed six liquor shops, ordered tests of liquor samples and instructed officials to take strict action against those allegedly involved. Police said post-mortem examinations would establish the exact cause of death.

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Our team of doctors and the SDM team are also present in the surrounding areas, including the two identified villages of Naura and Ghugru, for screening. Anyone experiencing symptoms or who has consumed any type of liquor in the last 24 to 48 hours should get screened by a doctor.