Turkey has given a warning to avoid bootleg alcohol in the country, after around 103 people had been fatally poisoned in two major cities since the new year. According to The Independent, all the deaths took place in Ankara and Istanbul, after the authorities warned of a rising death toll bound to an increase in illegal alcohol that is sold disguised as major brands. In Istanbul, 70 people have died since January 14 and in Ankara, 33 have died since 1. In the two cities, another 230 were admitted to the hospital in connection with the poisoned “Booze” with 40 of those in critical condition, officials said.
In Turkey, the Alcohol Prize has been enriched in recent years due to heavy taxes imposed by the ruling AK party of President Tayyip Erdogan. Alcoholic drinkers have also confronted with an ever -heavy tax burden and other restrictions, the outlet reported. In addition, the Turkish government again increased taxes on alcohol and tobacco products on 3 January.
These high costs have pushed some consumers, shops, restaurants and bars to rely on bootleg alcohol and homemade drinks, which has led to rising poisoning in recent years.
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The Government Office of Istanbul said last month that it had taken steps to combat the sale and distribution of bootleg, including mandatory cameras in stores selling alcohol, suspending or withdrawing sales permits and performing regular inspections. Authorities have arrested 13 people in Ankara and 11 others in Istanbul. Allegedly they have also seized 102 tons of methanol and ethanol in Ankara and more than 86,000 liters of bootleg PR smuggled alcohol in Istanbul, according to the independent.
In the meantime, the recent dead arrive in Turkey after six tourists, including an American and a backpacker from the United Kingdom, died in Laos after unconsciously consuming methanol -contaminated drinks. The youngest victim, an Australian woman, was only 19 years old.
