19 die after drinking tainted liquor in southern India

Sep 7, 2010, 7:37 GMT

New Delhi - At least 19 people have died after drinking contaminated moonshine in India's southern state of Kerala, police said Tuesday.

The deaths were reported from different areas in the Mallappuram district 300 kilometres north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

'In all, nineteen locals have died since Monday afternoon,' B Rajeev, a police officer at the Mallappuram control room said.

Twelve villagers who consumed the toxic alcohol were receiving treatment at local hospitals.

'The death toll may rise as the condition of four men is said to be critical,' Rajeev.

Police said a poisonous chemical substance was added to the local palm wine, known as toddy, for more kick.

Authroities ordered an investigation into the deaths, and police arrested a businessman who owned some of the liquor stalls.

The illegal liquor business thrives in India because it is much cheaper than commercially produced alcohol, but it causes hundreds of deaths each year.

According to estimates by local media, nearly 300 people died from tainted liquor in 2009 across six states. In July, 136 people, mostly slum dwellers, died in Gujarat, the worst-affected state.