At least thirty-three people and another 48 have been admitted to hospitals in the country since Monday due to the consumption of adulterated food, the Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported Thursday night.
A previous official death toll put the death toll at 23.
It is believed that they were due to the consumption of adulterated alcohol with methanol – a type of industrial alcohol unsuitable for drinking.
Arrests for adulterated alcohol
Four persons suspected of having sold the adulterated drinks have been arrested and a case file is being filed against them for serial “intentional murders”, the Istanbul authorities said in a statement last night.
Revocation of shop licenses
Since January 1, 29 tons of adulterated or smuggled alcoholic beverages have been seized in Istanbul and 64 businesses selling them have had their licenses revoked, they added.
High taxes on alcohol and smuggling
Owners of companies that sell alcoholic beverages accuse the Turkish authorities of being indirectly responsible for the deaths because of high taxes, which they say encourage illegal brewing.
48 deaths from alcohol in 2024
In 2024, 48 people died due to the consumption of adulterated alcoholic beverages, according to Istanbul authorities.
Erdogan is against alcohol
The president, a conservative politician and devout Muslim who is accused by his opponents of seeking to Islamize the Turkish public administration and society, has repeatedly taken a public stance against the consumption of both alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
