21 dead, 30 ill in India from altered liquor

At least 21 people have died and 30 others are ill after drinking altered liquor in western India, officials said Tuesday. The deaths occurred in Ahmedabad and Botad districts of Gujarat state, where manufacturing, sale and consumption of liquor are prohibited.

It was not immediately known what chemical was used to alter the liquor. Police have detained several suspected bootleggers who were involved in selling the alcohol. In 2020, at least 120 people died after drinking tainted liquor in India's northern Punjab state.