"power alcohol"?....

An illegal brew laced with industrial poisonous alcohol caused the death of 49 people in Kenya, according to medical staff. The police is looking for a woman suspected of distributing the drink to local bars.

The beverage known as "Power Alcohol" contained methanol, a toxic wood alcohol which added to the mixture increase its potency. Apparently, the result was too strong for 174 people, who were hospitalized Saturday and Sunday, and more patients arrive continuously at Machakos General Hospital, some 34 miles out of Nairobi.

According to medical superintendent Simon Mueke, police brought 15 bodies to the hospital Saturday, and another 34 people died while receiving emergency treatment on Sunday.

Illegal improvised drinking dens selling strong homemade brews happen all the time in back streets in Kenya. There are sporadic poisoning accidents, one of the most severe took place in 2000, when 130 people died from one toxic batch.

There is an ongoing investigation being unfolded, and the ones responsable for this tragedy will be charged with murder or manslaughter. The Health Ministry appealed on Sunday for Kenyan drinkers to stop buying illegal brews.