8 dead, 18 ill after consuming methyl alcohol

Faizabad, Jul 3 (UNI) At least eight people died and 18 others took ill after consuming methyl alcohol on the Lucknow-Faizabad highway here last night, police today said.

A tanker containing methyl alcohol overturned in Ronauhi area of the district on the Barabanki-Faizabad border.

The villagers mistook the spirit for liquor and drank it in large quantities.

Later, eight people -- both hailing from Barabanki and Faizabad districts--died.

Meanwhile, the others are undergoing treatment in different hospitals, the police added.

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