NEW DELHI, May 20 (RIA Novosti) - The number of deaths in southern India from alcohol apparently contaminated with lethal chemicals has risen to 73, local media said.
The deaths were reported in India's southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, All India radio reported.
Twenty people have died since Monday in Tamil Nadu. Earlier police reported 53 deaths since late Sunday. Several people are still being treated in hospital.
Eight people have been arrested for selling illegal homebrewed alcohol.
Unconfirmed reports said the deadly alcohol was distributed free by activists of a political party in Karnataka ahead of the final phase of assembly elections on May 22.
Deaths from cheap alcohol are common in India. Most of the victims are poor workers.
