72 die after drinking poisoned beer

monjola sotubo

January 14, 2015 10:33 AM

196 people were also said to have been hospitalized after drinking the beer at a funeral over the weekend.

72 people have been confirmed dead in Mozambique after consuming contaminated beer.

The traditional drink, known as “Pombe”, is usually made from millet or corn flour and is believed to have been poisoned with crocodile bile.

Health authorities in Mozambique said on Tuesday, January 13, that the number of hospitalized people had reduced to 35 with 7 of them being in critical condition.

The incident is being investigated by the police but the original barrel in which the beer was brewed is nowhere to be found. Officials have however sent blood and beer samples to a hospital for testing.

The beer was brewed by a woman who was burying her child. She also died after consuming it.

Mozambique's government has declared three days of mourning for the victims to last from Monday, January 12, to Wednesday, 14.

monjola sotubo