World News | Bootleg Alcohol Claims Lives of at Least 30 People in Istanbul While Dozens Hospitalised
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. At least 30 people have died in Istanbul over the past three days after drinking bootleg alcohol, Turkiye's state-run news agency reported on Thursday, as authorities intensified a crackdown on counterfeit drinks.
Ankara (Turkiye), Jan 16 (AP) At least 30 people have died in Istanbul over the past three days after drinking bootleg alcohol, Turkiye's state-run news agency reported on Thursday, as authorities intensified a crackdown on counterfeit drinks.
The dead were among some 80 people who sought treatment in hospitals around Istanbul, Anadolu Agency reported. At least 31 patients were in intensive care units.
Deaths from counterfeit alcohol has become increasingly frequent in Turkiye, where the prices of alcoholic beverages continue to rise.
Many people, confronted with ever-increasing costs, resort to cheaper alternatives or homemade spirits, increasing the risk of poisoning from toxic substances.
Also Read | Turkey: Death Toll From Tainted Alcohol Rises to 30 in Istanbul, Dozens in Critical Condition.
A combination of soaring inflation and government taxes has driven beverage prices to all-time highs.
On Wednesday, six people were detained for allegedly selling the counterfeit drinks while two other suspects were charged with “deliberate murder", the Istanbul governor's office said in a statement.
Authorities also seized 29 tons of bootleg alcohol in raids around Istanbul since January 1 and revoked the licenses of 64 businesses for allegedly selling counterfeit or smuggled alcohol, according to the statement.
“We consider those who cause the death of dozens of our citizens by producing or selling fake alcohol to be no different from the terrorists who kill people,” the statement said. “Our fight against the scoundrels who attempt to kill our people for material gains will continue unabated.”
The British Foreign Office recently issued an advisory for British tourists travelling to Turkiye, warning them of the rise in deaths from counterfeit alcohol. (AP)
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)