THREE residents at Bashnet village in Babati District, Manyara Region have lost their lives after allegedly consuming a strong alcoholic beverage, whose brewing and sale point are being investigated.

ACP Ahmed Makarani, the regional police commander, said in a telephone interview with this reporter yesterday that the origin of the local beverage is still unknown. 

The police intervened and halted burial ceremonies for the deceased until autopsy is conducted to facilitate a thorough investigation, he said.

 “We have received the report and investigations are ongoing. Our focus is not on where the drink was produced but on determining the exact cause of death,” he stated.

The police are waiting for results of a forensic examination to establish whether the cause of death was poisoning or “the result of drinking alcohol on an empty stomach,” he futher moted.. 

“That is why we are conducting a thorough investigation, with the involvement of a government chemist and a pathologist, to verify whether it was alcohol or poisoning,” he said.

No burials will be permitted until full investigation is completed, he emphasised, affirming that the bodies of the deceased were transfered to to Babati District Hospital for further examination.

Martin Akonay, chairman of Bashnet village also confirmed the deaths, noting that all three victims died in similar circumstances. 

“They were all known to be heavy drinkers. One passed away at around 10pm, another at 3am and the third after 9am, he explained, elaborating that the community is now awaiting the results of the medical investigation to proceed with the burial arrangements.

A relative of the deceased, who wished to remain anonymous, told this reporter that five individuals were rushed to the hospital after drinking rhe brew, where two survived after being treated for poisoning.