The police in India say at least 29 people died after consuming toxic liquor in the country’s western state of Gujarat.

Officials at the police control room said the victims were mostly villagers from the Botad district. 

According to regional police official Ashok Kumar Yadav, preliminary laboratory tests indicated that chemicals including methanol were present in the liquor mix.

He said three people had been arrested, and investigations are underway.

A large amount of suspected spurious alcohol has been seized in raids.

The tragedy first came to light when villagers who consumed the liquor on Sunday night were admitted into hospitals in the area early on Monday.

There were at least 30 people in severe conditions being treated, according to the NDTV news channel.

Manufacture, consumption and sale of alcohol are banned in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state.

There are some government-authorised liquor shops where residents with special health permits and foreigners can buy alcohol.

This is the second major incident where spurious liquor has caused many deaths in the past year.

In November, no fewer than 30 people died in the eastern state of Bihar.

In Bihar, there was also an alcohol ban, which some critics said encouraged the peddling of illegal and often tainted alcohol that was brewed without any regulation.

The illegal liquor trade thrives in India because it is much cheaper than commercially produced alcohol.

Hundreds of people, mostly the poor, die yearly after consuming toxic alcohol. 

(dpa/NAN)