A large number of poisoned people are in intensive care in serious condition, so the death toll may still increase.
At least 19 people, mostly foreign nationals, have died in Istanbul in the past 72 hours after drinking counterfeit alcoholic beverages drinks.
This was reported on Wednesday, January 15, by the Turkish publication TRT Haber.
A total of 65 people were hospitalized due to methanol poisoning.
According to the daily newspaper BirGun, most of the victims were foreign citizens.
Turkish media reports that a large number of poisoned people are in critical condition in intensive care, so the death toll may still rise.
Having opened an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the incident and establish responsibility, Turkish police have detained two people.
During the search of the house, about 50 liters of counterfeit alcohol and 36 tablets of narcotic substances, high-precision weights, opium resin, counterfeit immigration documents and a large amount of other drugs were found.
In addition, 63 counterfeit drink outlets were closed during the police operation, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said.
The prosecutor's office opened an investigation against two Turkmen citizens for involuntary manslaughter, drug trafficking, production and sale of counterfeit alcohol, unauthorized storage of medicinal substances, human trafficking and document forgery, Cumhuriyet reports.
Total in 2024 110 people have been hospitalized after drinking counterfeit alcoholic beverages in Istanbul, and 48 of them have died, the Istanbul governor said in a statement on the X network.
The deaths are believed to be caused by counterfeit alcoholic beverages containing methanol, a toxic alcohol used in industry and household products.
Methanol can be added to other alcoholic beverages to increase the strength or reduce the price, but it can cause blindness, liver damage and death.
Recall that earlier in December last year, 17 people died in Istanbul after drinking counterfeit alcohol.
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