13 people have died after reportedly consuming spurious alcohol in Mumbai today
13 people have died and 10 are undergoing treatment after reportedly consuming spurious alcohol in Mumbai today, seven of the 10 admitted in hospitals are in critical condition.
The incident occurred at Laxmi Nagar slum in Malvani, near suburban Malad.
Owais Shaikh, a doctor at Prime Hospital in Malvani told NDTV, "Five patients were rushed to this hospital in quick succession. Two died, two have been referred to another hospital and one remains critical".
Maharashtra government has ordered an inquiry into the incident, which is to be completed within two days, reports news agency Press Trust of India.
Additional Commissioner of Police (North Zone) Fatteh Sinh Patil, told NDTV, "We are in the primary stage of investigation and not in a position to divulge much details. We are investigating who is responsible for this and how the liquor was brewed."
The police say a batch of spurious country made liquor could be responsible for the tragedy.
The probe has been handed over to the crime branch and top officials like Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Deven Bharti are visiting the area.
"We have detained a suspect, identified as Raju Langda in this connection and more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses in the case" a Mumbai Police officer told NDTV.
In 2004, 87 people died after consuming spurious liquor in Vikhroli in Mumbai's eastern suburbs. 19 people were convicted and jailed in connection with the tragedy.