Twelve persons died and nine others were battling for life after consuming adulterated liquor in Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

According to the police, the spurious liquor was reportedly bought from neighbouring Orissa state. On Sunday morning, a villager -- Durgasi Jagayya -- died after consuming the liquor at Rattakanna village in Icchapuram mandal on the Orissa border. Later, the villagers attended the funeral of Jaggayya.  

At the burial ground, a score of villagers consumed the same liquor after performing the last rites of Jaggayya around noon. The family of the deceased offered the liquor as per the local custom. Immediately, they took ill and began vomiting.

Three of them died while being taken to Government Hospital at Icchapuram. Eight others succumbed at the hospital. Another nine persons were undergoing treatment. Their condition was stated to be serious.

Following the deaths, a pall of gloom descended on the village. Icchapuram police registered a case and took up investigations.