Beer Drinkers
Men chat as they drink beer at a sheeben (bar) in Soweto. August 8, 2012. REUTERS

Seventy-three people in Chitima and Songo are now dead, and at least 160 more are still hospitalized since January 9 after drinking traditional Mozambican beer. Radio Mozambique reports that the alcoholic drink called Pombe was consumed last Friday by mourners after attending a funeral. The following morning, seven dead bodies were rushed to the hospital, including the woman who made the popular brew. Several more lifeless bodies from neighbouring areas kept arriving on that tragic weekend. The police believes that crocodile bile was placed in the large gallon containing the homemade beer.

Paula Bernardo, district health director in Cahora Bassa told the broadcasting station that during that very same day, dozens of sick individuals complaining of body pains and diarrhea were also brought to the hospital. Authorities fear that fatalities would continue to increase because the facilities needed to deal with such emergency are insufficient. Delegations from the National Health Ministry and provincial government have headed to the locality to address the health situation.

The police is also conducting a thorough investigation on what may have caused the mass poisoning and contamination of the homemade drink. Those who drank beer from the same source that Friday morning did not feel any of the symptoms registered by the individuals who were rushed to the hospital. However, those who consumed the same drink later that day were the victims of the dreadful circumstance. Initial inquiries imply that 'crocodile bile' was mixed with the brew while the mourners were at the cemetery. Although, the toxicity of this substance has been challenged by some studies done thirty years ago at the University of Zimbabwe, according to Forbes Magazine. Also, investigators have no clues on the intent and culprit of this tragedy.

Brew samples and other unidentified contents found in the 210-litre container were forwarded to the National Laboratory in the capital Maputo to be examined. Pombe is a home-brewed beer made from corn, sorghum or other grain extracts. It is usually served in festivities and occasions like funerals in certain areas of Africa. Aid from various government institutions and non-governmental associations have been extended to the bereaved community. Coffins, food, clothing and other resources are being collected by authorities. A mass funeral was held at the Chitima public cemetery where most of the bodies were buried. Mozambicans observed three days of national mourning after the deaths.