Mozambique beer poisoning deaths rise to 70

The number of people killed after drinking a
"poisoned" homemade beer in Mozambique has
risen to 69, state radio has reported.
The beer, usually made from millet, may have
been contaminated with crocodile bile, a health
official said.
A toddler was among those killed after apparently
drinking the beer at a funeral in Tete province on
Saturday.
An official said it was the worst such tragedy to
hit Mozambique, with 39 people still being treated
in hospital.
The government declared three days of national
mourning in a decree published on Sunday.
The beer, known as "phombe", is traditionally
served at functions in Mozambique's Tete
province. Deaths from drinking it are rare,
correspondents say.
Carle Mosse, the province's health director, said
it was suspected that the poisoning had been
caused by crocodile bile although this had yet to
be confirmed in tests.
It was not immediately clear how the beer had
been contaminated and whether it was
intentional.
The woman who brewed the beer and several
members of her family were among the victims,
Radio Mozambique has reported.