PRAGUE - Following a series of deaths after the consumption of bootlegged alcohol, the Czech government on Wednesday approved a ban on the sale of liquors containing more than 30 percent of alcohol in stalls and markets all over the country.

Czech Health Minister Leos Heger declared the ban on television shortly after a cabinet meeting. "Liquidation of alcohol supplies received from suspicious sources is the most reasonable step now," said Heger.

He called on the governors and mayors of towns and municipalities to actively cooperate with the directors of regional sanitary offices who are responsible for the coordination of all steps taken by state bodies concerning issues related to the ban and methanol poisoning.

On Sept 6, three people died after drinking tainted alcohol. At least 15 persons have died of methyl alcohol poisoning since then and about 30 others are being treated in hospital.

The source of the methyl alcohol is not known yet. Several hundreds of checks in restaurants and other facilities were carried out on Monday and Tuesday.

The newly announced ban is indefinite and if abolished in the future, will be done so on public television and radio.