Suspected methanol poisoning has killed 33 people in Istanbul (Image: Getty)
Suspected methanol poisoning has killed 33 people in a Turkey prompting four to be arrested for “intentional homicide.”
Authorities in said on Thursday that 33 people had died after consuming bootleg drinks laced with methanol, a toxic industrial chemical, instead of ethanol, the type found in regular alcoholic drinks.
Another 43 people were hospitalised and 32 placed in intensive care, officials said.
Methanol – most often found in solvents, fuel, pesticide and antifreeze – is commonly found in adulterated alcohol products and is known to cause blindness, liver damage and death.
Four suspects accused of selling the lethal drinks have been arrested and charged with “intentional homicide,” the city’s governorate said in a statement.
Since January 1, a total of 29 tonnes of adulterated alcohol in Istanbul have been seized while 64 businesses have had their licenses revoked, the governorate added.
Four suspects accused of selling the lethal drinks have been arrested (Image: Getty)
The uptick in ethanol poisonings has been pinned on recent tax rises on alcohol, which has encouraged a growth in bootleg brewing operations.
Poisonings from adulterated alcohol are quite common in Turkey. Last year, methanol-laced drinks killed 48 people in Istanbul alone.
Turkish President , a devout Muslim often accused of trying to impose conservative values on society, has long railed against drinking and smoking and has imposed high taxes on alcohol. The tax on the national favourite raki, an anise-flavored spirit, has skyrocketed in the past decade.
The UK has previously warned British holidaymakers to be wary of “counterfeit” alcohol sold in Istanbul and to only “buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores”.
Its 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.
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“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.”
Just last month, 22 people died and 16 others were in critical condition in hospital after consuming bootleg alcohol in Istanbul.
In a statement, Istanbul governor’s office said 11 of those who died were foreign nationals as well as five of those hospitalised.