Four persons have died, and one is in critical condition after drinking rice spirit in the central province of Quang Nam.

Alcohol poisoning patients receive treatment at the hospital. 

The five residents of Nam Giang District bought and drank rice spirit from a grocery store on Tuesday after finishing their field work.

On Wednesday, they had difficulty in breathing and lost consciousness. All were taken to the Nam Giang health centre for emergency treatment. Two died at the centre.

Two others died late on Thursday after being transferred to the Da Nang Hospital.

“The remaining person is being treated at the North Quang Nam General Hospital and is in a critical condition,” said Lê Quang Vịnh, head of Nam Giang police. 

The district authorities have confiscated the rice spirit for investigation. — VNS