Russian alcohol poisoning cases now 88

VOLGOGRAD, Russia, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Sixteen more people have been hospitalized by alcohol poisoning in Volgograd, Russia, raising the total affected so far by bad moonshine to 88.

Authorities in the industrial city south of Moscow -- once known as Stalingrad in honor of Russian dictator Josef Stalin -- said the patients have been diagnosed with "toxic hepatitis," Itar-Tass news agency reported. Nearby districts also have seen poisoning cases this week.

A majority of the victims were reported to be homeless people, one of whom died early in the week. Of the remaining total, 24 are reported to be in serious condition. A check of all alcohol retail outlets in the region is underway.

Volgograd is noted for shipbuilding, oil refining, steel and aluminum production, and machinery manufacturing industries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the Stalingrad name restored to the city, which was taken away in 1961 after Stalin's disgrace. Putin says it was the heroism of Russian soldiers during the 1943 Battle of Stalingrad, considered the bloodiest in history with 2 million dead, that helped to successfully defend the city against the invading Germans and turn the tide of World War II on the Eastern Front.