Key Takeaways:
– Tainted alcohol caused the death of 23 people in Istanbul over the past 48 hours.
– A total of 43 additional individuals became critically ill, with 32 admitted into intensive care.
– Methanol, a commonly used substance in bootleg alcohol, is suspected to be the cause.
– Alcohol poisoning is a recurring issue in Turkey due to an increase in homemade alcohol production.
– The nation’s anise-flavored liquor, Raki, is the usual suspect for counterfeits.
Istanbul’s Bootleg Alcohol Epidemic Claims More Lives
A shocking report from Turkish officials on Wednesday disclosed that within a span of 48 hours, 23 people lost their lives in Istanbul because of consuming tainted alcohol. This alarming event escalates an already grave situation in the country where bootleg alcohol consumption has continued to rise.
Effects of Methanol in Locally Brewed Alcohol
The potent effects of the spiked liquor led to the hospitalization of 43 more individuals, out of which 32 are now battling for their lives in intensive care units. Authorities have reported a total of 34 deaths related to the consumption of bootleg alcohol since the beginning of this year.
Methanol, used to intensify the strength of alcohol, is identified as the likely culprit. The dangerous chemical is cheap and thus frequently employed in the production of illegal alcohol, replacing expensive ethanol. A local study on illegal alcohol production in southern Turkey highlighted the harmful consequences of methanol, including blindness, liver damage, and even death.
The Ministry of Health in Turkey has not issued any comments on the recent incident.
Turkey’s Battle with Bootleg Alcohol
Illicit production and consumption of alcohol are worryingly common in Turkey. Despite the government’s efforts to control the situation by imposing higher taxes on alcoholic beverages, the problem remains. Homemade alcohol production surged, laying the groundwork for potential health hazards due to unregulated production methods and ingredients.
In a grim reminder of the ongoing crisis, a similar event in 2024 saw 110 individuals falling ill after drinking tainted alcohol, causing 48 deaths.
The High Cost of Counterfeit Raki
Especially at risk is Turkey’s anise-flavored national liquor, Raki, often found counterfeited due to its high market price. The price of a liter of Raki in supermarkets surged to 1,300 lira ($37.20), an amount considerably higher than the country’s minimum wage, set at 22,104 lira ($600) as of Jan. 1.
Alcohol Legislation in Turkey
In response to the escalating alcoholic consumption in the country, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan enacted significant changes to Turkey’s alcohol legislation. A pioneer in this field, Erdoğan has ruled out any promotional advertisements for alcohol, restricted alcohol brands from sponsoring any events, and even banned any media portrayal of alcohol consumption.
Despite these measures in place, the alarming incidents of bootleg alcohol poisoning recently prove that Turkey’s battle with alcohol, and more specifically bootlegged alcohol, remains far from over. The situation calls for a revised approach and more stringent action to prevent the untimely death of innocent citizens. The cost of cheap alcohol should not be measured in human lives.