Police have interviewed and released the four friends of a 24 year old garment factory worker of Labasa who died at the Labasa hospital yesterday.

Divisional Crime Officer Northern, ASP Luke Rawalai has confirmed that the worker died due to respiratory failure and methanol intoxication.

Rawalai said there were no visible injuries on his body and police are still continuing with their investigations before deciding whether charges can be laid.

It is alleged that the deceased was drinking with his friends over the weekend when a chemical was mixed in his beer and he was forced to drink it. The matter was reported to police by a doctor who attended to the deceased when he was taken to hospital.