33 dead after drinking toxic liquor in Mumbai
At least 33 people have died after consuming illegally brewed alcohol in India's western city of Mumbai, police said Friday.
Residents of slums in the Malvani areas fell ill after drinking the alcohol on Wednesday and the first deaths were reported on Thursday afternoon, police spokesman Dhananjay Kulkarni said.
"Most of the victims were construction workers and autorickshaw drivers," Kulkarni said. "Nine more people have been admitted to hospitals and are (in) critical (condition)," he added.
According to witnesses, many of those who drank the liquor started vomiting, and complained of severe abdominal pain before collapsing.
Police have detained three suspects in connection with the deaths, and sent samples of the drink to be analyzed, Kulkarni said.
The illegal liquor trade thrives in India, mainly because it is much cheaper than commercially produced alcohol.
In January, 38 people died after consuming homemade liquor in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
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