At least 56 people have died in north - west Mozambique from apparent poisoning after consuming traditional beer 'phombe'. According to Carla Mosse director of health for the province of Tete, 39 people remained hospitalized Sunday after suffering the same type of beer poising that caused first deaths Saturday morning.

All the victims who included a toddler participated in a funeral  Friday during which they apparently drank the traditional brew. The exact cause of the contamination remains unknown but the woman who brewed the traditional beer and several members of her family were among the victims.

Mozambique's government declared three days of national mourning in a decree published Sunday evening. Illicit brews are still a major problem in most third world countries.