Death toll hits 156 in India liquor tragedy

At least 58 more workers have died in northeastern India after drinking toxic liquor, police said yesterday, taking the death toll from the latest mass alcohol poisoning beyond 150.

The deaths in Assam state came less than two weeks after tainted liquor killed around 100 people in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

At least 200 others were still receiving treatment in hospitals across Assam.

Police said people started falling sick after consuming a batch of illegally produced liquor late Thursday. The victims, who include many women, worked at local tea estates in the region.