Toxic Vodka Kills 11 Revelers

At least 11 people have died and more than 20 have been hospitalised after drinking vodka containing industrial alcohol in Mongolia.

Many of the victims were believed to have been attending the same New Year's Eve party.

An official said that the vodka contained methanol spirits, normally used in cleaning products.

The incident has led to a temporary ban on selling vodka - the nation's favourite alcoholic drink - in the capital Ulan Bator, where the tainted liquor was purchased, Mayor Tudev Bilegt said.

The killer vodka is believed to have come from one company, which produces eight different brands, according to the government's inspection agency. The agency warned all Mongolians to avoid buying those labels.

 
The inspection agency said the company mixed an industrial alcohol into the vodka, and that as many as 3000 litres of the killer product could have been made.