Istanbul alcohol poisoning crisis kills 19, dozens hospitalized

At least 43 people are hospitalized in critical condition, with the deaths believed to be caused by methanol poisoning

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Nineteen people have died in Istanbul over the past 48 hours after consuming tainted alcohol, with dozens more receiving medical treatment for suspected poisoning, Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.

The figure marks an update from the 11 reported fatalities just a day earlier. As of now, at least 43 people are hospitalized in critical condition.

The deaths are believed to be caused by methanol poisoning, a toxic substance often added to counterfeit alcohol to increase potency. Methanol consumption can lead to severe health issues, including blindness, liver damage, and death.

Although there has been no immediate comment from Turkey's Health Ministry, the Istanbul governorate released a statement late Tuesday confirming that 110 people had fallen ill from adulterated alcohol in 2024, with 48 fatalities recorded so far.

Poisonings from methanol-laced alcohol have become increasingly common in Turkey, where rising taxes on alcoholic beverages have led to a surge in private, illegal alcohol production.

Raki, the country’s traditional aniseed-flavoured liquor, is particularly vulnerable to counterfeit production, with prices in supermarkets reaching around 1,300 lira per litre, far above the average monthly minimum wage of 17,000 lira.

The rise in illicit alcohol production coincides with growing government crackdowns on alcohol consumption.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has frequently criticized alcohol and tobacco use, further fueling tensions over the regulation of such substances.

Authorities are investigating the source of the contaminated alcohol as health officials work to address the ongoing crisis.