Cuddalore (TN), Apr 30: Three persons died and seven others hospitalised in a hooch tragedy, at Meenavapuram village, in the district, police said today. The condition of three of the seven hospitalised was stated to be serious, police said.
Police said all these persons had consumed illicit liquor yesterday and later complained of vomitting and nausea. They were immediately rushed to three hospitals at Virudhachalam, Pennadam and Thittaguda. The death toll was likely to go up, police said.
A case had been registered. Deputy inspector general of police Vijayakumar visited the spot and the hospital. This is the first hooch tragedy reported after November 2001 from the district. In November 2001 tragedy over 50 persons had lost their lives. In December 2001 35 persons lost their lives in a hooch tragedy near Chennai and in November 2002, two persons died after consuming illicit brew in Villupuram district. Bureau Report