Fifteen people have died and nearly ten others are in critical condition after consuming illicit liquor in several villages of Punjab’s Amritsar district, specifically in the Majitha block, police reported. The affected individuals were primarily from the villages of Bhangali Kalan, Thariewal, Sangha, and Marari Kalan. Those in critical condition have been admitted to the civil hospital in Amritsar.

Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney visited the hospital to assess the situation and confirmed the current death toll, which authorities fear could rise further.

Majitha SHO Aabtaab Singh stated that the victims had all reportedly purchased liquor from the same source on Sunday evening. Several individuals passed away by Monday morning, with some locals performing cremations without notifying authorities. In some cases, the cause of death was misreported as heart attacks. The police received confirmation about the deaths later that day.

According to a Punjab government spokesperson, two FIRs have been filed. Main suppliers Prabhjit Singh and Sahib Singh were arrested in Rajasansi, along with four others who allegedly distributed the liquor across villages. Authorities have also launched a probe into suppliers in other states.

This tragedy echoes a similar 2020 incident in Majha region, where 130 people died after consuming spurious liquor.