A deadly outbreak of methanol poisoning has struck Istanbul, Turkey, leaving 33 dead and 48 hospitalized after they consumed tainted alcohol. Authorities are investigating the source of the contamination and have arrested four individuals suspected of selling the adulterated drinks. The incident has reignited debate over Turkey's high alcohol taxes, which critics argue incentivize the production of dangerous, unregulated alcohol.
A tragic wave of methanol poisoning has swept through Istanbul this week, claiming the lives of 33 individuals and hospitalizing 48 others. The victims reportedly consumed tainted alcohol laced with methanol, an industrial alcohol that is distinct from the ethanol found in alcoholic beverages. Turkish authorities are investigating the source of the contaminated alcohol and have arrested four individuals suspected of selling the adulterated drinks.
Charges against the suspects include 'intentional homicide'. This latest outbreak of alcohol poisoning highlights a persistent problem in Turkey, where the high taxation of alcohol has fueled a surge in private alcohol production, often using dangerous and unregulated methods. The city's governorate has been actively combating this issue, seizing 29 tonnes of adulterated alcohol in Istanbul since January 1 and revoking the licenses of 64 businesses suspected of selling tainted alcohol.Store owners, however, have pointed fingers at the government, arguing that the high taxes on alcohol are a driving force behind the surge in bootleg home distilling. They claim that the exorbitant costs associated with purchasing legal alcohol make it more appealing for people to resort to dangerous, makeshift methods of producing their own alcohol. This argument has gained traction as tragic incidents like the current methanol poisoning outbreak continue to occur. The deaths in Istanbul are a grim reminder of the dangers associated with consuming adulterated alcohol. Similar incidents have occurred in Turkey before, with 48 people losing their lives to methanol poisoning in Istanbul alone in 2024. While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a devout Muslim, has repeatedly expressed his opposition to drinking and smoking, the problem of alcohol poisoning persists, fueled by a combination of high taxes and the desperation of those seeking affordable alcohol
Methanol Poisoning Istanbul Turkey Alcohol Bootleg Alcohol
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