Four die after drinking party

BEKASI: Four residents of Setia Dharma village, Tambun, Bekasi, died after drinking a blend of beer and ginseng at a party on Sunday.

The latest fatality was Anto, 23, who died on Wednesday at the Mustajam Tambun Hospital in Jati Mulya. Seven others are still being treated in the hospital's intensive care unit.

Supriyadi, one of the residents, said the village was celebrating the anniversary of a radio station on Sunday. While dangdut singers entertained residents, a group of young men gathered at a security post to drink the beer and ginseng mixture.

"I had a severe headache and my eyesight was hazy the following morning," Supriyadi said.

Supriyadi said he went to a doctor who, suspecting he had alcohol poisoning, told him to go to the hospital.

Bekasi Police chief Sr. Comr. Bachtiar Tambunan said an investigation was underway. The police have confiscated eight liters of the beer and ginseng drink as evidence. -- JP