69 people died, 200 people were hospitalized after drinking toxic alcohol in India
The victims were hospitalized with difficulty breathing, severe chest pain and persistent vomiting.
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A victim is treated at the hospital on February 23. Photo:AFP |
69 people have died and at least 200 have been hospitalized in India's northeastern Assam province after drinking toxic alcohol,AFPquoted local authorities said.
“We have recorded 50 deaths in Golaghat district since February 21,” said Deputy Commissioner Dhiren Hazarika. Another official said that in the neighboring Jorhat district, 19 people died after drinking “spurious liquor.” The victims, including women, worked at a local tea factory.
"People came to the hospital with severe vomiting, chest pain and difficulty breathing," said Dr. Ratul Bordoloi.
According to state police, they arrested a man for selling the alcohol and two government officials were suspended for failing to take proper precautions against the sale of counterfeit alcohol.
Hundreds of people die each year in India from drinking toxic alcohol, which often costs as little as $1 a bottle. Of the estimated 5 billion liters of alcohol consumed each year in the South Asian country, nearly 40% is produced illegally.