Methanol deaths reach 23

Prague, Sept 18 (CTK) - The Czech Republic has the 23rd victim of methyl alcohol, an autopsy has confirmed, Stepanka Zatloukalova, from the police presidium, told CTK yesterday.

She said methanol was not confirmed as the cause of death of another two people.

They, too, died of alcohol, but not of methyl alcohol, Zatloukalova said.

Tens of other people are hospitalised. Some of the cured have gone blind.

The first victim in the series of methanol-related poisonings was reported on September 6.

The sale of drinks with more than 20 percent of alcohol have been banned in the country since Friday evening.

Extensive police raids and checks have uncovered barrels with dangerous alcohol since the "prohibition" was introduced on Friday and some distributors of the bootleg alcohol have been arrested.

Both producers and sellers complain about the ban because it inflicts huge damage on them.