Dozens of people have died after drinking poisoned alcohol at a tourist hotspot in Turkey. Authorities in Istanbul confirmed on Thursday January 16 that 33 people had died after consuming bootleg drinks laced with methanol.
A previous update on Monday had the death toll at 11, reports the Mirror.Officials said further 43 people were in hospital with 32 of them in intensive care as medics witnessed a sudden 48-hour spike in admissions related to the poisonings.
Four people accused of selling contaminated alcoholic drinks were arrested for ‘intentional homicide’, police revealed late on Thursday. Methanol – which is mostly found in solvents, fuel, pesticide and antifreeze – is often found in adulterated alcohol products.
It is cheaper than ethanol, another toxic liquid used for this purpose. Methanol is known to cause blindness, liver damage and ultimately death.
A total of 29 tonnes of adulterated alcohol have been seized in Istanbul since the beginning of the year, according to local government, and another 64 businesses have had their licenses revoked. The uptick in ethanol poisonings has been pinned on recent tax rises on alcohol, with has encouraged a growth in bootleg brewing operations.
The increase in the number of ethanol poisonings has been pinned on recent tax rises on alcohol, which has encouraged a growth in illegal brewing operations. Recent figures from Istanbul found that 48 people died in 2024 from adulterated alcohol.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has previously warned British holidaymakers to be wary of “counterfeit” alcohol sold in Istanbul. Travel advice reads: “People have died or suffered serious illness in Istanbul, Turkey after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.
“To protect yourself: buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores, buy drinks only at licensed bars and hotels, avoid home-made alcoholic drinks, check bottle seals are intact, and check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling. If you have any concerns, ask for advice from your tour operator or the Turkish authorities.
“Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with falls ill after drinking alcohol.”
In November, Simone White, from Orpington, Kent, died in Laos along with five other tourists after reportedly drinking “free shots” at a backpacker’s hostel. The 28-year-old’s parents said they were “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter”.
It is believed the tourists had all taken shots laced with methanol.
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