Officials said that 32 people died last week after drinking the alcohol and that a further 10 died over the weekend. It is thought that the death toll will rise further as some of those in hospital are “seriously ill”.

BB Singh, the chief medical office in Azamgarh, told the BBC: “At least 42 people have died in hospitals but we expect the toll to be higher since many bodies have been cremated by families without informing the police or the medical authorities.”

Source: The Drinks Business