NEW DELHI20proulette, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy rose to 29 from 12 on Thursday, confirmed a senior district official20proulette.

"Death toll due to alleged illicit liquor consumption in Kallakurichi rises to 29," District Collector M.S. Prashanth told media.

Around 45 persons are still hospitalized, battling for their lives. Most of the victims were said to be laborers, who had consumed the spurious liquor on Tuesday night and began showing symptoms like loss of eyesight, vomiting, and headache by Wednesday morning.

The victims were admitted to government hospitals in three different districts, namely Kallkurichi, Salem and Puducherry. Special medical teams were rushed by the state government to ensure a better treatment of the victims.■