Hooch claims six lives in Bengal

Six persons, including a woman, died and ten others were seriously ill after they consumed illicit liquor at Radhaballavpur in South 24 Parganas district, an official said today.

Sixteen people drank the country liquor from a shop in the village under Kultali police station last night. Of them two died on the spot and as many in the near-by Nimpith hospital, Sub-divisional Officer Partha Acharya said.

Two of the rest died in the Bangur hospital this morning. Ten others were admitted to the same hospital.

Of the deceased were five of an Adivasi family, he said.