Bihar Hooch Tragedy: Death Roll Rises To 20

The death toll in the hooch tragedy in in Bihar's Siwan and Saran districts have increased to 20, SP Siwan Amitesh Kumar said.

"2 to 3 people were referred to Patna. A total of 15 people were brought to the civil hospital for treatment. Legal action is being taken against Bhagwanpur SHO and Prohibition ASI of Bhagwanpur police station," DM Mukul Kumar Gupta said on Wednesday.

The incident was reported in the Ibrahimpur area, under the jurisdiction of Mushrakh police station of Saran district, the district administration said in a statement on Wednesday.

In a statement, the district administration said, "Following reports of a suspected hooch death, police arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning and are investigating. Two others have been hospitalized and are currently receiving treatment. The matter remains under further examination."

While the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed, those who consumed the illicit liquor reported symptoms like vision loss, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Over 150 people have died from consuming illicit liquor since the state implemented its alcohol prohibition with much fanfare in April 2016.

The growing number of deaths linked to spurious liquor has sparked calls to lift the prohibition, as a way to prevent future hooch tragedies.

Bihar witnessed its worst hooch tragedy in 2022, when at least 73 people died after consuming illicit liquor in Saran district's Doila and Yadu Mot villages.