ISLAMABAD, Sept. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Eighteen people reportedly died Saturday after consuming toxic liquor in Multan in Pakistan's Punjab province, The News reported Sunday.

    Dr. Imran, chief medical officer of the emergency ward of Nishtar Hospital in Multan, said Saturday that nine persons aged 25 to 35 and all from the labor and working class died in the hospital.

    Seven of them died while being provided medical treatment and two others lost their lives before they could reach the hospital, said Imran.

    He added that the hospital started receiving toxic liquor-affected patients in frequent intervals after mid-night on Friday.They fell unconscious about seven hours after taking the poisonous liquor, he said.

    A press release issued by the Multan district police officer Hamid Mukhtar Gondal confirmed the death of nine persons.

    Nine others died in different hospitals in Multan after drinking the toxic liquor.

    Gondal said that the bootlegger from whom the toxic liquor was purchased had been traced. At least 50 bottles of the toxic liquor and distillery apparatus had also been seized from a house in a police raid. Enditem