Ukraine moonshine deaths rise to 58
Kiev : At least 58 people have died from drinking moonshine in crisis-hit Ukraine over recent weeks, officials said Monday, as a spate of poisonings from illegal homebrews spreads.
Most of deaths -- 44 of them -- occurred in the eastern Kharkiv region, bordering the conflict zone where Kiev is battling pro-Russian rebels, the State Foods and Consumer Service reported.
The latest toll more than doubled the figure released three weeks ago, when officials said 23 people had died in Kharkiv and neighbouring Donetsk region, parts of which are run by separatist militias.
Further fatalities have now been recorded in other eastern regions, but also to the west and the south.
Officials said they have detained three suspects, all grocery store owners in the Kharkiv region, who face between five and 10 years in jail if convicted of producing the lethal spirits.
Illicit alcohol is widespread in rural regions of Ukraine, one of Europe's poorest and most corruption-riddled countries which has been battling a pro-Russian insurgency since April 2014 that has claimed more than 9,600 lives and caused the economy to sink.
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