[Russia] Fake Vodka Kills 3 People & Hospitalises 60

Three people have died and more than 50 people have been hospitalised in a Russian city for reportedly drinking bootleg alcohol. Reports from Kamensk-Uralsky, located in the Ural mountains, said earlier this week that around 60 people have been hospitalised in the last month with toxic hepatitis. A hospital spokesperson told local reporters that the livers of the injured people have been severely damaged and may be beyond repair. The patients are thought to have consumed ethanol-based glass cleaner sold in vodka bottles, the hospital said. Earlier this year, Russia introduced a new system of excise stamps and alcohol production tracing to combat the amount of illegal alcohol sold in the country. (whole item)