Toll in Mozambique poisoned brew tragedy reaches 67

The number of people who have died after drinking a local alcoholic brew called "phombe" rose to 67 Monday morning in Tete province, western Mozambique, medical sources said.

The number may increase as more than 100 people were still under medical care in hospital, Xinhua news agency reported citing sources.

"Phombe" is a popular local brew made from maize grain and water.

The source described the situation as very sad with bodies sprawled all over the rural hospital in Cahora Bassa as the morgue has a capacity of only two bodies and the refrigeration system was also not working properly.

A team of medical experts, including representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), were now working on the site to assist the authorities and families and help to find out the exact causes of the deaths.

Speaking to journalists Monday morning, provincial health director in Tete, Carla Mosse, said the causes were not yet known but clarified that the tragedy started during the early hours of Saturday after a burial ceremony.

However, Mosse said that there were suspicions that the brew was poisoned with crocodile bile. Poisoning using bile or crocodile brain is common in this part of Mozambique. Samples of the brew were sent to Maputo for tests.