24 die after drinking toxic bootleg liquor in eastern India

[News_Editor]

24 die after drinking toxic bootleg liquor in eastern India

2012-02-09 00:13:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW DELHI, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 24 people have died after consuming spurious liquor laced with medicines in India's eastern state of Orissa, authorities said on Wednesday. Nearly two dozen others are in a critical condition.

The victims from the Cuttack and Khordha districts fell ill after visiting Tukuliapada village in Cuttack district on Monday evening. The drinks they consumed were later found to contain a high percentage of alcohol and drugs used to treat coughs and colds, the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported.

Orissa state official S.N. Girish told IANS that the first reported death was that of the brew seller on Tuesday morning. Others died on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing the total death toll to at least 24.

Authorities fear the death toll may increase further as nearly 20 people remain hospitalized in a critical condition. Three people who are allegedly relatives of the liquor kingpin have been arrested so far, IANS reported.

In December 2011, more than 170 people died in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal after consuming illegal liquor. The victims became ill after consuming liquor which was being sold at shacks near a railway station in Sangrampur village, which is located near the city of Kolkata. Several people were arrested for supplying the illicit alcohol, which was consumed by as many as 450 people.

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