Tainted rice wine kills nine in Cambodia: police

(All Photos: Radio Free Asia)

Friday, October 7, 2011
AFP

PHNOM PENH — At least nine Cambodians have died and 76 have been hospitalised after drinking tainted rice wine at a funeral ceremony, police said Friday.

The victims began falling ill shortly after drinking the wine in western Pursat province on Tuesday, police chief Sarun Chanthy told AFP by telephone, describing symptoms including vomiting and dizziness.

Samples of the drink were still being analysed but doctors suspected the wine "contained high levels of methanol or ethanol", he said.

Last year, at least 17 Cambodians died in eastern Kampong Cham province after drinking rice wine out of a bottle previously used for weed killer.

Cambodians often drink locally brewed rice wine, which is relatively inexpensive but can be dangerous if not mixed properly.