NEW DELHI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people have died after drinking illicit liquor in the dry state of Bihar in eastern India, a senior police official said.
The death toll may go up as some five others are battling for their lives at a government hospital, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"The incident took place in Gopalganj district Tuesday evening after the victims complained of breathlessness, followed by stomach pain and vomiting, after consuming toxic alcohol," he said.
The official added: "The condition of 13 deteriorated late last night and they died within an hour in the hospital. The condition of five are said to be serious."
The state government has ordered a probe into the deaths, which have raised an alarm in Bihar where liquor is banned since March this year as part of poll promise by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
So far, the police have arrested over 4,000 people across the state for flouting the ban, though no one has been arrested yet for the suspected illicit liquor tragedy.
"Anyone found guilty in the probe will be arrested," the police official said.
