At least 42 people died, while dozens are currently recovering from drinking toxic alcohol in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, CEOAFRICA.com gathered.

Sources disclosed that the illegal homemade alcohol which normally contain chemicals and pesticides aim at increasing its strenght and flavour, led to many drinkers in Mubarakpur area located in Azamgarh district, falling ill.

BB Singh, Chief Medical Officer in Azamgarh told newsmen that death toll may be higher because many families must have cremated the body of their deceased relatives without notifying the authority.

The homemade alcohol - commonly called desi daroo in India - usually costs as little as 10 rupees (20 US cents) and the majority of the consumers are poor people.