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2010-02-18 14:39:52 - HAZMAT - India EDIS CODE: HZ-20100218-24983-IND
Date & Time: 2010-02-18 14:39:52 [UTC]
Area: India, State of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi district, Number of death person(s): 15
Damage level: Heavy (Level 3)
Not confirmed information! Description: At least 15 people have died after drinking contaminated liquor in Varanasi district in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, news reports said Thursday. The deaths were reported in three villages of the district since Wednesday evening, said the police officials. Twenty villagers were undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the district, 250 kilometres east of state capital Lucknow. The condition of 10 people was described as serious and the death toll may rise further. Six police and excise department officials were suspended for negligence in connection with the case. "We found that the patients had consumed liquor that contained a high level of methyl alcohol," Varanasi chief medical officer RS Verma told IANS news agency. Illicit liquor is a thriving business in India because it is much cheaper than commercially produced alcohol, but causes scores of deaths each year. According to estimates by the local media, nearly 300 people died in similar incidents across six other states including national capital New Delhi last year. In July 2009, 136 people, mostly slum dwellers, died after consuming tainted liquor in Gujarat state.
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