WEB DESK
At least 41 people have died and some 16 others are in a serious condition in the Siberian city of Irkutsk after drinking bath essence. Russian authorities said, the hawthorn-scented liquid was consumed as if it were alcohol.
Two people have been detained over the deaths and police are removing bottles from shops. Investigators said a warning that it should not be swallowed was ignored.
The product, called Boyaryshnik (Hawthorn), was found to contain methanol, a toxin found in antifreeze. A state of emergency has been declared in Irkutsk, and Russia’s top investigative agency opened an enquiry into the incident.