NEW DELHI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- At least five people died and five others hospitalised after drinking illegally brewed rice beer in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, police said Sunday.
The incident took place in the state's Simdega district.
"Some 10 people consumed the rice beer at a local woman's place late Saturday evening and soon started vomitting and complained of stomach pain. The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital where five died during treatment," a police official said.
Five others are still being treated at the hospital, he added.
A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said. "No one has been arrested yet," he added.
Toxic alcohol deaths regularly occur in India, where people often drink cheap bootleg liquor and rice beer.
