MULTAN, Oct 28: Eight more victims, who consumed poisonous liquor and were admitted to various hospitals here since Wednesday night, died on Friday night and Saturday, raising the death toll to 26.

At least 16 people were reported to have been killed in Multan and two more in Vehari till Friday afternoon. Officials, however, put Multan’s toll at 18.

The eight dead were identified as Mazhar Abbas of New Multan, Asghar of Bosan Road, Rabnawaz of Mati Tul, Mohammad Irshad of Soraj Miani, Mohammad Khalid of Makhdom Rashidpur, Rashid Ali of Nawan Shaher, Mohammad Ramzan of Qadeerabad and Talib Hussain of Bosan Road.

An excise officer and two junior officials of the local excise department, were suspended for their failure to curb the marketing of toxic alcohol.