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A man has died after taking part in a vodka drinking competition organised by a supermarket in Russia.

The 'Who Can Drink More Vodka' contest saw five participants rushed to intensive care, with one dying from consuming too much alcohol.

The bizarre competition took place in the city of Volgodonsk in south-western Russia's Rostov Oblast region and was organised by a local supermarket called Saveliy.

Police are believed to have started a criminal case against the shop for causing death by negligence as well as violating an advertising law which prohibits any action that stimulates the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

(Image: Getty)

A total of 40 men took part in the drinking competition which saw them down vodka which had been put in buckets.

Salami and bread were offered by the shop to line the stomachs of the men, with the winner promised 10 bottles of vodka as a prize.

It is reported that just minutes after the competition ended some participants felt unwell.

Doctors arrived and diagnosed six participants with severe intoxication.

(Image: Getty)

One man later died as a result. He has not been named.

Doctor Mikhail Kravchenko said about the deceased participant: "He managed to drink about three litres of vodka, which most likely wouldn't have ended in death if it was a normal person."

Vice regional prosecutor Sergey Labenets said it is possible that the organisers of the event will escape punishment as participants joined in on a voluntary basis.