FAISALABAD: At least 18 people died and seven other fell unconscious after consuming toxic liquor in Toba Tek Singh District of Punjab on Monday. The affected people belonged to Christian community and they had consumed liquor in revelry on Christmas, a private TV news channel reported. Initial reports suggested that a total of 22 people consumed the toxic liquor, out of which 16 affected people were brought to district headquarter hospital where 13 have died so far.
Meanwhile, six patients were transported to Allied Hospital Faisalabad, where five people died later.
According to doctors, condition of the rest of the victims was critical.
Saddar Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Atif Imran Qureshi said that the toxic liquor was sold in the pretext of permitted liquor. He added that the matter was being investigated, and that action would be taken against those involved. He revealed that two wine sellers were also among the 10 dead.
