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19 die after drinking cologne
09 Jun 2002
Nineteen people died and 17 others were in hospital after drinking cologne containing methanol, according to reports today.
Police officials told the daily Okaz that the 19 died after drinking the cologne laced with methanol, a poisonous substance normally used as an antifreeze.
Eleven of those killed died in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, in the kingdom's west, while the rest died in the southern city of Jizan.
It was not immediately clear when they died.
Police last week reportedly arrested an unspecified number of people suspected of selling the cologne.
Consuming and dealing in alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia and punishable by lashings, fines and prison terms. Some people drink cologne as an alcohol substitute.
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