More Than 20 Die After Drinking Homemade Alcohol In Pakistan

A man who consumed toxic liquor is transported to a hospital in Karachi on October 8, 2014

Twenty one people have died after drinking homemade alcohol in the Pakistani city of Karachi.

According to the AFP news agency, most of the victims were Muslims celebrating the Eid al-Adha holiday.

"Since last night [October 7], 21 people have died after consuming toxic liquor," Seemi Jamali, a doctor at Karachi's Jinnah Hospital, told AFP.

Doctors were trying to save the lives of 22 others in a serious condition after drinking the liquor, she said, adding that they were unconscious.

Area police chief Akhtar Farooq said officers had conducted raids at illegal liquor factories, arresting three suspects and seizing a quantity of moonshine.

Though legal breweries exist in Pakistan, the sale of alcohol to Muslims is prohibited and tightly regulated for minorities and foreigners.

Based on reporting by AFP and www.dawn.com