At least 31 dead & 20 left blind after drinkers open lethal batch of bootleg booze in India
AT LEAST 31 people have died and more than 20 were left in a serious condition after drinking a lethal dose of moonshine liquor in India.
The isolated incident happened in nearby villages in Bihar state, east India.
The deaths were reported in a local government-run hospital, where families brought their sick relations for treatment.
Men involved in the horrific incident began vomiting on Tuesday, with their conditions further deteriorating overnight.
Several people died on the way to the hospital, with local media reports putting the death toll at 31.
Police officer Santosh Kumar said several of the 20 hospitalised have lost their eyesight.
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He said: "We have arrested 126 people in the last 48 hours after the incident was reported."
Nitish Kumar, the state's top elected official, said three suspects were being investigated for allegedly selling spiked alcohol in the area.
Sale and consumption of alcohol has been banned in Bihar state since 2016.
According to Associated Press, the liquor restrictions were put in place after women's groups campaigned against poor workers splurging their meagre incomes on drinking.
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The liquor ban covers the Saran district, which is about 37 miles north of Patna, the Bihar state capital.
However, bans are in force in several Indian states, which has caused a surge in illegal alcohol sales on the black market.
Deaths from illegally brewed alcohol are common because the extreme potency is usually laced with dangerous chemicals or fertiliser.
In 2019, more than 100 people died in agony from bootleg consumed after a funeral.