Reports from India say the number of people who have died from drinking from a tainted batch of illegal alcohol has risen to 143.
Officials are quoted as saying dozens of other people remain hospitalized after drinking the toxic homemade brew near the eastern city of Kolkata.
Most of the victims are reported to include day laborers, street sellers, and other poor workers.
Police say four people have been arrested in connection with making and distributing the bootleg booze.
Reports say cheap, illegal liquor often contains ingredients such as methanol that can cause death or serious health problems.
A report by the dpa news agency says that according to official statistics, some 1,200 people died in India in 2010 from drinking suspect alcohol.
compiled from agency reports
Officials are quoted as saying dozens of other people remain hospitalized after drinking the toxic homemade brew near the eastern city of Kolkata.
Most of the victims are reported to include day laborers, street sellers, and other poor workers.
Police say four people have been arrested in connection with making and distributing the bootleg booze.
Reports say cheap, illegal liquor often contains ingredients such as methanol that can cause death or serious health problems.
A report by the dpa news agency says that according to official statistics, some 1,200 people died in India in 2010 from drinking suspect alcohol.
compiled from agency reports