Toll in Kerala hooch tragedy rises to 23

Eight more persons died after consuming illicit liquor since midnight last night taking the toll to 23 in the twin hooch tragedy in the district as more suspected victims were taken to hospitals today, officials said.

Deputy excise commissioner KR Jayan and assistant excise commissioner K Mohammed Rashid were suspended in connection with the incident, they said.

Kozhikode Medical College Hospital sources told PTI that nearly 150 people who had consumed the illicit liquor were treated there. The condition of three of them was serious.

Nearly 30 people got treatment in various other hospitals, including Majeri and Nilambur taluk hospitals, they said.

Excise commissioner S Subbaiah, who visited Vaniyambalam in Vandoor, said the preliminary report on the incident would be submitted to the government on September 13.

According to preliminary assessment of forensic experts, the toddy supplied by the shop in Kuttippuram could have been mixed with methanol.

Chief minister VS Achuthanandan had yesterday announced a judicial probe into the tragedy and directed the home department to take effective steps to bring the culprits to book.