Counterfeit alcohol in Istanbul has caused the deaths of 17 people and left dozens more hospitalized. Authorities reported three deaths a week ago, but since then, the number of victims has risen to 17. In addition, 22 people are still receiving medical treatment for symptoms of counterfeit alcohol poisoning. This situation has raised concerns as New Year’s Eve approaches, with fears that more people may fall victim to poisoned alcohol as merchants try to profit from selling pure methanol. Similar incidents of methanol poisoning have occurred in other countries, such as Laos, where six tourists, including a British woman, died.
Methanol, which is often used to make solvents, pesticides, and alternative fuels, is commonly added to alcohol instead of ethanol due to its cheaper cost. However, methanol is toxic to humans and can cause various adverse effects such as drowsiness, confusion, headache, and dizziness. Authorities in Istanbul have intensified their efforts to crack down on the production and distribution of counterfeit alcohol. Police have conducted raids in several districts, leading to the arrest of 19 people and the seizure of large quantities of fake alcohol being prepared for sale.
The ongoing raids in Istanbul have targeted producers of counterfeit alcohol, with authorities conducting operations in various districts to apprehend suspects. In Beyoğlu, officers posing as customers managed to track down a suspect selling bootleg alcohol on a motorcycle. As a result, large quantities of counterfeit alcohol were confiscated before they could be distributed. In total, 410 liters of ethyl and methyl alcohol have been seized, and as many as six distillers used for making counterfeit alcohol have been raided. Last year, 7,386 liters of counterfeit alcohol were seized in Turkey, according to data from the Turkey Trade Ministry.
The situation in Istanbul has raised concerns about the prevalence of counterfeit alcohol in the city and the dangers it poses to public health. The deaths and hospitalizations caused by consuming tainted alcohol have highlighted the need for stricter regulations and enforcement measures to prevent the production and distribution of fake alcohol. Authorities have charged eight individuals in connection with the recent raids and are working to dismantle the networks responsible for producing and selling counterfeit alcohol. The crackdown on counterfeit alcohol producers and distributors is ongoing, with police conducting operations to target those responsible for endangering the lives of consumers.
Despite efforts to curb the production and sale of counterfeit alcohol, the situation in Istanbul remains dire, with more victims being poisoned by tainted alcohol. The ongoing medical care for those hospitalized with symptoms of methanol poisoning signifies the seriousness of the issue and the challenges faced by authorities in addressing it. As the New Year’s Eve approaches, the risks of more people falling victim to poisoned alcohol are heightened, necessitating continued vigilance and action to protect public health. The raids and arrests conducted by police are a step towards addressing the problem, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety of consumers and prevent further tragedies.
