India toxic alcohol toll rises in Orissa

About 70 more people are being treated in hospital and there are fears that the death toll could rise further.

Residents of villages close to the city of Cuttack fell ill after consuming alcohol spiked with chemicals used in the manufacture of some medicines.

Deaths from contaminated alcohol are a regular occurrence in India.

The Orissa government has ordered a judicial investigation into the incident and nine people, including eight liquor sellers, have been arrested.

The illegal alcohol - commonly called desi daroo or country-made liquor in India - usually costs as little as 10 rupees (20 US cents) and the majority of the consumers are poor, daily-wage workers.

The tainted liquor can lead to fits, vomiting and death; Kazinform cites BBC.

To learn more go to www.bbc.co.uk