Spurious liquor claims three lives in Varanasi

Varanasi, Feb 17 (ANI): At least three people have died and 12 others are still in critical condition after consuming spurious liquor in Soepur village in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi District.

The hospital authorities said the incident happened at a ceremony, where people were consuming liquor together and suddenly complained of dizziness and started vomiting later.

"Three people have died and a dozen have fallen ill after consuming spurious liquor. Victims are admitted in government hospital for treatment. The investigation is still on and the culprits will be booked under law," said, Ravinder Singh, District Officer.

"Normally, in such cases it is found that methyl alcohol is mixed with alcohol, normal alcohol doesn't harm," he added.

"Country liquor is traded in Soepur village for the last 20 years. Whoever, drank the spurious liquor last night (on Feb.16) vomited and fell ill. Three people have died, and 15 to 20 people are in a serious condition," said, Ganesh, a local resident.

Some villagers said that the liquor had been distributed free of cost among them by some unknown person (ANI)