In June 2015, at least 102 people died after drinking contaminated alcohol in the Laxmi Nagar slum in Malad, located in Mumbai, India. [1] [2] [3] [4] Another 45 people were hospitalised as a result of the incident. [2] [5] The incident has been described as the worst of its kind in over a decade. [6]
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. [4]
By 22 June 2015, seven people had been arrested, and eight police officers were suspended for negligence, in connection with the incident. The prime suspect, Mainka Bai, a woman, was absconding as of 22 June 2015. The people arrested are believed to have transported the liquor to workers and include two women: Mamta Rathod (aged 30) and Agnes Gracy alias Aunty (aged 50). [6] [4] [7] Latif Khan was arrested on 23 June for his role in the distribution of the tainted beverages. [2]
According to police, the victims suffered methanol poisoning from methanol that had been added to the liquor to increase its potency. [1]
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. [8]