Chennai: Fifteen persons died and over 80 hospitalised after consuming illicit liquor in neighbouring Tiruvallur district in a major hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu even as several victims were rushed to the Government General Hospital today (Nov 28), police sources said.

The condition of some of those under treatment at the GH was stated to be serious and several of the victims, who came in batches to the GH, complained of blurred vision after admission.

Four persons died soon after consuming the illicit brew last night (Nov 27) in nine villages around suburban Ponneri while 11 others lost their lives today as more and more victims were admitted to the GH since morning.

A woman, who allegedly sold the killer brew, probably mixed with methanol, has already been taken into custody while the search was on for her husband, police sources added.

Director of Medical Education, Dr Vijayalakshmi, who visited the affected persons in the hospital this noon, told reporters that necessary "anti-dote" was being administered to those under treatment.

PTI