Toxic liquor in China kills nine

GUANGZHOU, China, May 16 (UPI) -- Police in China arrested a dozen people suspected of mixing industrial alcohol with rice wine to create a drink that killed nine people.

Thirty-three others were sickened, including four in critical condition at local hospitals in Guangdong Province in southern China, reported Xinhua, China's main government-run news agency.

Authorities confiscated large amounts of the poisoned liquor, which was sold to local distributors.

After the deaths, which were first reported Tuesday, the province inspected bulk liquor in the area for any contaminated supplies.

The province also tightened its procedures for certifying alcohol sellers.