RUSSIA: Fake vodka kills three, hospitalises 60

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 4 October 2006

Three people have died and more than 50 people have been hospitalised in a Russian city for reportedly drinking bootleg alcohol.

Reports from Kamensk-Uralsky, located in the Ural mountains, said earlier this week that around 60 people have been hospitalised in the last month with toxic hepatitis. A hospital spokesperson told local reporters that the livers of the injured people have been severely damaged and may be beyond repair.

The patients are thought to have consumed ethanol-based glass cleaner sold in vodka bottles, the hospital said.

Earlier this year, Russia introduced a new system of excise stamps and alcohol production tracing to combat the amount of illegal alcohol sold in the country.

Sectors: Spirits