42 die from tainted alcohol in Mexico

Puebla, Mexico — At least 42 people have died after drinking adulterated alcohol at a funeral in Mexico’s central Puebla state, officials have said.

Eleven others are fighting for their lives after attending the service in Chinconcuatla, around 200 kilometers (125 miles) northeast of Mexico City, according to a Wednesday statement from the local government.

Dozens of people were rushed to hospitals on Tuesday, vomiting, and suffering headaches after drinking the tainted beverages.

Authorities said the coronavirus epidemic had led to shortages of beer and other alcoholic drinks, leading to the consumption of dangerously adulterated liquor.

Last month, 21 people died in the western state of Jalisco after drinking tainted alcohol.