At least 16 people including a bootlegger, his son, and nephew have been reported dead from the Majoor Gam area of the city following consumption of illicit country-made liquor, locally known as lattha. Nineteen others have been hospitalised, with a few of them reported to be in serious condition. Authorities say the death toll could rise further.

Incidentally, the sale and consumption of liquor is banned in Gujarat.

Most of the victims are residents of Majoor Gam neighbourhood, working as casual labourers, and are reported to have consumed the liquor on Sunday night.

The first death was reported around 9 am on Tuesday after a patient was rushed to the V S Hospital, but neither the doctor nor the family members could ascertain the reason for the patient’s deteriorating health. The patient was brought unconscious to the hospital and doctors took it to be a case of heart attack.

Hospital Superintendent Dr H K Makwana said that only after patients began coming in large numbers from the same neighbourhood, complaining of vomiting and stomach-ache, did the relatives get to know that all of them had consumed liquor.

“The major problem was the lack of information and history of these patients, more so as the first patient was brought here in an unconscious condition,” said Dr Makwana.

According to doctors at V S Hospital and L G Hospital, where the patients are being treated, the presence of methyl alcohol (methanol) in the brew led to cardiac toxicity, affecting heart functions.

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