The death toll in last night's illicit liquor consumption tragedy at Porata Nagar, a tribal Thanda near Kanimerla village in Krishna district has gone up to 14, with the death of another seven persons, including three women, official sources said. While seven persons died today, five of the 14 hospitalised, who are undergoing treatment both at Vijayawada and Mylavaram, are in a critical condition, they said.

About 50 tribals, belonging to the Banjara community, from Porata Nagar and its surrounding hamlets had consumed illicit liquor yesterday, following which, some of them had complained of health problems, while a few had even fallen unconscious. The victims had been rushed to nearby hospitals at Mylavaram, Vissannapet and Vijayawada. Out of the total seven fatalities last night, five had died while they were being transported to hospitals.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has directed the District Collector to conduct an inquiry into the incident and file a report. Excise Circle Inspector and Sub Inspector of the concerned area were suspended, sources added. Excise and Prohibition Minister M Venkataraman, who is now on Sabarimala pilgrimage, also issued instructions to take action against negligent officials of the concerned area.

Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, TDP MLA from the tragedy-hit area is now under house arrest for staging a dharna last night demanding action against concerned officials, ex-gratia for the deceased and resignation of the Excise Minister. The women's wing of the CPM also staged a dharna in front of the government hospital in Vijayawada.