Kanpur, May 19 (IANS): Four persons died and more than a dozen fell critically ill on Saturday after consuming illicit liquor here in Uttar Pradesh, police said. Doctors fear the toll may rise.

The incident took place in Sichendi where a group of people consumed the adulterated liquor late on Friday. They developed nausea and stated vomiting early on Saturday.

By the time they were rushed to nearby medical facilities, four of them died.

An official told IANS that the liquor samples have been seized and the regional excise inspector has been suspended for dereliction of duty.

The shop from where the liquor was purchased has since been sealed and a case lodged against its owner.

The deceased have been identified as Umesh Shukla, 32, Ratnesh Shukla, 28, Umesh Chandra, 31, and Rajendra Kamal, 45.

District Magistrate Surendra Singh and Special Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Kumar have been to the scene of the tragedy.

A probe has been ordered by the district authorities. Singh has also ordered sampling of alcohol stocked and being sold at all liquor vends in the area.