Number of cider poisoning cases in Russia soars

At least 21 people have died and 68 more have fallen ill after drinking adulterated cider in western Russia's Ulyanovsk region, an official from the provincial Health Ministry told TASS.

According to Report, the product labelled "Mister Cider" had been sold on tap after being brought into the region in 30 litre kegs.

The cider contained lethal amounts of methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol and much more toxic than the ethanol found in regular alcoholic drinks.

Earlier it was reported that three defendants in a criminal case were detained, which is interconnected with the case of mass poisoning with the drink Mr.Cider in a number of Russian regions.