Four people have died after consuming illicit alcoholic drinks in Kamonyi District, with two others receiving treatment in hospital, officials said.

The incident occurred on Monday, December 29 in Rukoma Sector, with three of the four victims the same day. The fourth died on Tuesday. One of the victims was a minor.

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Speaking to The New Times on Tuesday, the mayor of Kamonyi District, Sylvere Nahayo, said the patients were taken to Rukoma District Hospital, while the bodies of the deceased await post-mortem examination at the Rwanda Forensic Institute in Kigali.

Preliminary information indicates that the deadly mixture was Kanyanga, a locally brewed alcoholic beverage, Nahayo said.

He urged residents to avoid consuming illicit brews and to report any suspicious drinks.

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"We are also in touch with the bereaved families to assess their needs and provide support,” the mayor added.

The incident comes amid recent warnings from standards and food safety regulators about unsafe products, including illegally brewed drinks. Hundreds of thousands of litres of these drinks have been destroyed in various districts in recent months, with some factories closed and their operators prosecuted.

The tragic event also happened days after the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) about the risks of food and drink contamination during the festive season.

With food preparation and meat consumption increasing, RBC cautioned that improper handling can expose consumers to health risks. On December 26, RBC reminded the public that hygiene is crucial whenever food or drinks are prepared or consumed.