Czechs ban spirits after bootleg alcohol poisoning

17 September 2012 Last updated at 21:21 ET Help

The Czech government has banned the sale of all spirits containing more than 20% alcohol following a spate of poisonings that has left 20 people dead.

The poisonings have been blamed on bootleg vodka and rum tainted with the industrial chemical methanol and sold cheaply at markets and outdoor kiosks. Czech police have arrested 10 people and seized 5,000 litres of spirits, as well as counterfeit labels.

Poland has also taken the step of banning all Czech-made alcohol.

Julie Peacock reports.

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