India, May 31 -- Investigators probing Pune's hooch tragedy suspect that a fatal mix-up between methanol and ethanol may have triggered one of the region's deadliest incidents of illicit liquor poisoning that claimed 16 lives.

Ethanol and methanol are two very different types of alcohol. Ethanol is the safe, consumable alcohol found in popular alcoholic beverages like whisky, rum, vodka, gin, and country liquor. Methanol, on the other hand, is a highly toxic industrial chemical used in solvents, fuels, and manufacturing. Medical experts warn that even small quantities can cause blindness, organ failure and death.

According to state excise department sources, prime accused Yogesh Wankhede allegedly procured methanol instead of ethanol du...