At least 30 people in Turkey have died and 31 have been hospitalized in intensive care units after drinking what authorities believe to have been tainted alcohol.
The deaths took place over the course of just three days, according to a report from Turkey’s state-run news agency, Anadolu Agency, which was released on Thursday (January 16).
As many as 80 people have sought treatment in hospitals around Istanbul after consuming the bootleg alcohol, with more than 30 placed in intensive care units in a bid to save their lives.
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The alcohol is believed to have caused issues after being tainted with methanol; a toxic, colorless liquid which is typically used in industrial settings.
The Istanbul governor’s office said it had detained six people on Wednesday (January 15) for allegedly selling counterfeit drinks, while two other suspects were charged with 'deliberate murder'.
Since January 1, authorities have seized 29 tons of bootleg alcohol in raids around Istanbul, as well as having revoked the licenses of 64 businesses for allegedly selling counterfeit or smuggled alcohol, according to the governor's office.
A statement from the office said: “We consider those who cause the death of dozens of our citizens by producing or selling fake alcohol to be no different from the terrorists who kill people. Our fight against the scoundrels who attempt to kill our people for material gains will continue unabated.”
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Authorities have been forced to crack down on the selling of counterfeit drinks in Turkey due to the increasing cost of alcohol, which has been impacted by rising inflation and government taxes.
News of the deaths comes just weeks after government officials issued a warning to travelers going to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos due to similar issues with alcohol.
In the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned tourists that alcoholic drinks containing methanol 'have killed people and caused serious illness'.
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In a statement, the FCDO said: "There is a risk of methanol poisoning from home-brewed alcohol or counterfeit replicas of well-known alcohol brands. Affected drinks may include local spirits, including rice wine, spirit-based mixed drinks such as cocktails and counterfeit brand-name spirits."
In an effort to avoid buying counterfeit drinks, tourists are advised only to buy alcohol from licensed liquor stores, bars, clubs, restaurants, and hotels.
The FCDO also pointed out a number of red flags to look out for when buying drinks, including broken bottle seals, poor label print quality, and incorrect spelling.
"If the label, smell or taste seems wrong, do not drink the alcohol. These are signs it is illegal and could contain methanol," the FCDO said.
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"Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show signs of methanol poisoning."
Topics: Alcohol, Crime, Health, World News
Emily Brown