Gujarat hooch tragedy death toll rises to 13; 13 arrests so far

The death toll from the consumption of spurious liquor in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district rose to 13 on Sunday after two more people died during treatment.

Police have made 13 arrests so far in connection with the case. The illicit liquor was sold in the area and caused multiple hospitalisations.

Gujarat has a long-standing prohibition policy. Illegal production and sale of alcohol continue to cause periodic tragedies, often linked to methanol or other toxic adulterants.

Local hospitals treated dozens of patients. Some remain in critical condition. Officials are investigating the supply chain and the sources of the toxic batch.

The state government has ordered intensified checks. Similar incidents in the past have prompted temporary increases in enforcement that later ease.

Families of the victims have demanded accountability from those who produced and distributed the liquor. Police say further arrests are possible as the investigation proceeds.

The incident is the latest in a series of hooch-related deaths in prohibition states. Public health and law-enforcement responses remain the primary tools used after each event.