AUTHORITIES in Kinazi sector of Ruhango district are investigating circumstances under which two people, aged 25 and 70 years, died after they allegedly consumed contaminated sorghum beer.

The locally-produced sorghum beer, commonly known as Ikigage, was consumed on Monday in Nyarugunga Village, Rutabo cell, Kinazi sector. 

According to eyewitnesses, all those who fell sick complained of severe stomach pain, loose bowel movements, vomiting and other food poisoning symptoms.

Sources said everyone who consumed the sorghum beer fell sick.

One of the victims who was identified Niyigena Samson died before reaching a local health centre while the second, 70-year-old Nyirangeyo Daria, died shortly after she was admitted at Rukoma Health Centre, according to local officials.

Sixty-nine others who drank the beer also fell sick and had to be admitted at Rukoma Health Centre and Ruhango Hospital.

By press time, four of them remained hospitalised but their health situation was stable, according to Dr Valens Habimana, the director of Ruhango Hospital.

Samples have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory to determine the cause of death, Dr Habimana told this newspaper.