At least eight villagers have died and about 45 more have been hospitalized after drinking illegally-brewed liquor in eastern India, officials said Tuesday. Officials believe the brew made from molasses was contaminated with toxic methanol, or wood alcohol, said Choten Lama, a district magistrate in the state of West Bengal. The liquor was sold from a home in East Midnapore, a predominantly rural district in West Bengal, she was quoted as saying by CNN. Authorities launched an overnight crackdown on alleged illegal brewers, arresting at least 21 suspects, according to Lama, who said a local hospital is overflowing with intoxicated men seeking medical treatment after Monday's liquor-related deaths.
