Toxic bootleg brew kills 22 people in India
A villager cries with the children of his brother, who died from the liquor, in Cuttack district, India on Feb. 8, 2012. / AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout
BHUBANESWAR, India - Officials say at least 22 people have died and more are sick after drinking toxic bootleg liquor made from cough medicine in eastern India.
A hospital administrator in Orissa state said the farm laborers fell ill in the past two days after drinking the brew. Bhubananda Maharana also said Wednesday that another 31 workers were being treated for symptoms of liquor poisoning.
India's poor often buy cheap bootleg liquor made of syrups and medicines that are spiked with methyl alcohol and other industrial spirits to give it a kick.
Bootleg liquor kills 102 people in eastern India
86 Deaths Blamed on Toxic Indian Moonshine
Orissa's top elected official has ordered an inquiry.
Government spokesman S.K. Panda also said two pharmaceutical companies that produced the cough medicine have been sealed.
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- Again liberal cbs is making a big deal over a third world hellhole...
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