69 People Dead, 39 Others Hospitalize After Drinking A "Poisoned" Pito

January 12, 2015 4:54 PM

69 people dead and 39 people hospitalize after drinking a poisoned homemade beer

Among those killed after apparently drinking the beer, which is believed to be contaminated with crocodile bile at a funeral in Mozambique's Tate province on Saturday, January 10, was a toddler. The beer, known as "phombe" (also known in Ghana as Pito) is made from millet, and is traditionally served at functions in Tete province.

The province's health director, Carle Mosse, said it was suspected that the poisoning had been caused by crocodile bile although this is yet to be confirmed in tests. It was not immediately clear how the beer had been contaminated and whether it was intentional.

The woman who brewed the beer and several members of her family were among the victims, Radio Mozambique reported. The government has declared three days of national mourning in a decree published on Sunday, January 11.