Four die after drinking party

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