Bihar Hooch Tragedy: Starts With the Eyes, Ends in Multi-Organ Failure. Here's How Methyl Alcohol Kills

In one of the biggest hooch tragedies in Bihar since the state went dry in 2016, at least 40 people have died after consuming spurious liquor in the adjoining districts of Siwan and Saran apart from the Gopalganj district. As per a News18 Bihar report, 28 people died in Siwan, while 12 died in Saran district’s Chhapra and two died in Gopalganj. Scores others are undergoing treatment in all three districts.

Addressing a press conference, the DM of Chhapra as well as the SP said high quantities of methyl alcohol found in the spurious liquor led to the deaths. As per the officials, the seized batch of hooch contained 80% methyl alcohol. They said as many as 33 people have been arrested so far in connection with the hooch tragedy.

So, what is methyl alcohol and what makes it fatal?

What is Methyl Alcohol?

• Methyl alcohol, also known as methanol or wood alcohol, is highly toxic to humans, even in small amounts. Here’s some important facts to know about Methyl alcohol:
• It can cause permanent blindness by damaging the optic nerve.
• The body metabolizes methanol into formic acid, leading to a dangerous drop in blood PH. This can result in coma or death.
• It can severely damage the liver, kidneys, and other organs. Symptoms can appear quickly, sometimes within hours of consumption.
• Methanol-laced alcohol may not have a distinct taste or smell, making it hard for consumers to identify.
• People may not seek help immediately, thinking they just have a bad hangover.Outbreaks of methanol poisoning from spurious liquor can affect many people simultaneously.
• The antidote (fomepizole) may not be readily available in all healthcare settings.

Speaking to News18, Dr Anil of Paras Hospital said methyl alcohol is primarily used in commercial applications, such as paint production, plywood manufacturing, and fragrances. It is also used in the production of many other chemical products.

He said its consumption in spurious liquor primarily affects the eyesight first, and then hits other organs like the brain, liver, kidneys and heart. Ultimately, it leads to multiple organ failure and death.

The incident has led to a political slugfest in Bihar, with the opposition questioning the availability of hooch despite prohibition.

According to officials in the two districts, tragedy befell Maghar and Auriya panchayats of Siwan and Mashrakh in Saran on Tuesday night when a number of locals treated themselves to liquor, the sale of which was completely banned in the state by the Nitish Kumar government way back in April, 2016.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation where he instructed officials concerned to visit the site and ensure strongest possible action against those found guilty.

Kumar, who is the state’s longest-serving CM, also made an impassioned appeal to the people of the state to “be on guard against elements who are trying to encourage consumption of liquor which plays havoc with people’s lives and disrupts peace in families”.

Notably, the state government had confirmed more than 150 deaths on account of hooch since the ban on liquor came into force.

In 2022, Saran’s Mashrakh reported the worst such tragedy in which, as per the state government about 40 people had died though the National Human Rights Commission, which took suo motu cognisance and carried out an investigation, claimed that the casualties were in excess of 70.