In Istanbul, twenty-three people died in 48 hours after drinking contaminated alcohol, authorities announced on Wednesday.
At least 43 other people were hospitalized, including 32 in intensive care, Turkish officials said. Since the start of the new year, a total of 34 people have died from contraband alcohol. Alcohol contaminated with methanol is believed to be the cause.
Methanol is a substance often added to alcohol to increase its potency.. It is often used in illegally manufactured products instead of ethanol because it is cheaper, according to a study of alcohol produced illegally in southern Turkeyand it can cause blindness, liver damage and death.
There was no immediate comment from Turkey’s health ministry.
Poisoning due to adulterated alcohol is completely common in Türkiyewhere private production has exploded as authorities increase taxes on alcoholic beverages.
In 2024, 110 people fell ill after drinking contaminated alcohol in Istanbul, 48 of whom died, according to government officials.
Turkey’s national anise-flavored liqueur, Raki, is most often counterfeited. The price jumped to around 1,300 lira ($37.20) per liter in supermarkets. On January 1, Turkey increased the country’s minimum wage to 22,104 lira ($600).
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, elected in 2014 and former prime minister of the ruling party, played a major role in amending Turkish alcohol legislation. Since 2013, Turkey has banned advertisements promoting alcohol, banned alcohol brands from sponsoring events and banned scenes depicting alcohol consumption in the media.
