Banana-made brew kills 11 in Rwanda

Eleven people are reported to have died in Rwanda’s southeastern district of Bugesera since Christmas day after drinking a local brew made from bananas. Four others are reported to be in hospital for treatment. High levels of methanol, found in the stomachs of victims who drank the brew could be linked to the deaths, according to the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority. Five people have been arrested, including the brewery’s owner, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau has confirmed. The brewery was operating without a licence, and its operations have been suspended, the authorities said. A countrywide campaign has been launched to clamp down on unauthorized local brews. (BBC)