Ankara: Authorities in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, reported on Friday that at least 33 people have died, and 20 others are receiving medical treatment after consuming contaminated alcohol.
Methanol poisoning is a recurring issue in Turkey, where illicitly produced alcohol often contains this toxic substance, leading to blindness, liver disease, and even death.
Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin told reporters that police had seized 102 tons of illicit alcohol and arrested 13 individuals suspected of selling the tainted beverages. While the governor did not specify the exact timeline of the fatalities, his office had previously acknowledged a rise in deaths from counterfeit alcohol in recent days.
A spokesperson from the governor’s office informed press that the reported figures likely reflect cases since the beginning of the year.
Last month, a similar crisis in Istanbul resulted in the deaths of 38 people within four days after consuming contaminated alcohol. Istanbul authorities also stated that at least 26 others were hospitalized in early January due to similar poisoning cases. However, officials have not provided further updates on additional fatalities or the current conditions of hospitalized victims.
Despite being a secular country, Turkey has seen a sharp increase in alcohol taxes under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration. The price of a one-liter bottle of the locally produced alcoholic drink raki has surged to 1,300 Turkish lira ($37), while the country’s minimum monthly wage is approximately $600.
Critics argue that the rising costs of legal alcohol are fueling the underground production and sale of dangerous counterfeit liquor, contributing to the ongoing crisis.
