At least 49 people have died in the Siberian city of Irkutsk after drinking bath essence, Russian authorities said. The hawthorn-scented liquid was consumed as if it were alcohol, according to Russia's Investigative Committee. Several other people are in a serious condition, and many have been detained over the deaths. Police are removing bottles from shops. Investigators said a warning that it should not be swallowed was ignored. Police uncovered an illicit workshop where the lotion was being made, and arrested its owners. Household products are seen by some as a cheap alternative to alcohol across the former Soviet Union. Two years of Western economic sanctions have made the situation worse and analysts say up to 12m Russians drink cheap surrogate alcohol, including perfume, aftershave, anti-freeze and window cleaner.
