Authorities and health officials are testing homemade wine for contaminants after six people died from consuming it in Kratie province’s Prek Prasap district this month.

The deaths occurred from November 14 through November 22, said Sak Sam Ol, Tamao commune police chief.

“After drinking the wine, they had problems with their chests, eyes and legs. They all had the same symptoms,” he said.

Tragically, some of the victims drank the wine during the funeral of the man whom police believe was the first victim, and another was the son of a vendor who sold the suspicious beverage, Sam Ol said.

The six victims were between the ages of 30 and 56, according to Sam Ol.

Police in the area have ordered local businesses and vendors who sell the product to cease operations temporarily.

“My men collected some 30 litres of the wine and sent one litre to the province to test on November 23, while the sellers are asked to suspend their business for a while,” he said.