Kolkata, Dec 18

At least six people died and over a dozen were taken seriously ill Wednesday after consuming illicit liquor in West Bengal's Birbhum district, police said.

The incident happened in Tarapith near Rampurhat in the district, 220 km from Kolkata.

After participating in a funeral, nearly 50 people consumed the liquor at a shop in Tarapith late Tuesday night, and started complaining of illness Wednesday.

"So far, six people have died and at least 12 others were hospitalised after reportedly consuming the liquor. Though it seems the liquor was illicit and might have caused the death, we cannot confirm without the post-mortem examination reports," Superintendent of Police C. Sudhakar told IANS.

The sick people were admitted to Rampurhat sub-divisional hospital and some of them were stated to be in critical condition.