At least 146 people are reported to have been killed after consuming toxic alcohol in India's West Bengal state. 　　Residents of 12 villages in the South 24 Parganas district drank the locally brewed liquor on Tuesday evening. Despite falling ill, many people chose to stay at home fearing police may take action against them if they went to hospital. 　　On the next day, a large number of people, including two children, had been admitted to hospitals in the area with symptoms of alcohol poisoning. 　　Around 100 other people are being treated in hospital, with around 70 people among them are in critical condition. Officials worry that the death toll could rise. 　　The police have searched four breweries who allegedly added ammonium nitrate in the alcohol to "add flavor." The illegal alcohol usually costs as little as 10 rupees, around 20 US cents, and is therefore popular among poor, daily-wage workers. 　　The tainted liquor can lead to sickness, vomiting and death. More than 147 people in India have died after drinking toxic alcohol since 2009.