The Sangrampur methanol poisonings occurred when a methanol-tainted batch of illegal alcohol killed 143 people at
Sangrampur village in
Magrahat I CD Block of
Diamond Harbour subdivision in December 2011, affecting mainly manual workers of
South 24 Parganas district in the
Indian
state of
West Bengal.
The incident
Victims around
South 24 Parganas district started becoming sick on December 13, 2011, after drinking a home-brewed alcoholic beverage known as . The drinks contained
methanol
Methanol (also called methyl alcohol and wood spirit, amongst other names) is an organic chemical and the simplest aliphatic alcohol, with the formula C H3 O H (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group, often abbreviated as MeOH). It is a ...
, a toxic chemical that, when ingested, can lead to blindness or death from nervous system paralysis. On December 14, victims admitted to hospitals complained about stomach pain, diarrhea and breathing problems. Within 48 hours, the death toll rose to 143, and many more were in critical condition. Most who died were manual laborers and others of low socio-economic class, who bought the liquor at illegal bars called .
Later the death number rose to 156 people.
Official response
The
Government of West Bengal
The Government of West Bengal also known as the West Bengal Government, is the subnational government of the Indian state of West Bengal , created by the National Constitution as the state's legislative, executive and judicial authority. The ...
paid $ 4,000 to the family of each victim, and arrested seven people for distributing the liquor. 10 illegal liquor shops in
Diamond Harbour subdivision, one of the affected communities, were shut down by the police as well.
See also
*
List of alcohol poisonings in India
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:2011 Sangrampur methanol poisonings
Crime in West Bengal
2011 in India
Alcohol-related deaths in India
Methanol poisoning incidents
2010s in West Bengal
Disasters in West Bengal