NEW DELHI - AT LEAST 16 people have died after drinking toxic, home-brewed alcohol in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

Fifteen others were admitted to hospital in the state's largest city Ahmedabad after falling ill from consuming the contaminated liquor at a party earlier in the week, the Press Trust of India reported Wednesday.

Police used teargas to disperse angry residents who took to the streets to protest against the failure to close down illegal distilleries.

Authorities are investigating the deaths.

Deaths from cheap alcohol are frequent in India and most victims are poor. -- AFP