Forty-three people have died after drinking home-brewed alcohol in a western Indian city that was apparently toxic, police has said. Skip related content

Another 23 were battling for their lives in three hospitals in Gujarat state's main city Ahmadabad, said S Khandwawala, the director-general of state police.

Deaths from drinking illegally brewed cheap alcohol are common in India, where few people can afford licensed booze.

Known locally as desi daru - pronounced 'they-see daa-roo' - illicit alcohol is often spiked with pesticides or chemicals to increase its potency.

In the latest tragedy, most deaths happened in hospitals where the victims were brought after they drank the liquor on Sunday.

Some were found on the streets of Ahmadabad, said police commissioner SK Saikia.

The problem is worse in Gujarat because the state law prohibits the sale of all booze.

Gujarat is the home state of India's independence leader, Mohandas Gandhi, who was a strong advocate of prohibition.