The death toll from methyl alcohol poisoning, which was found in alcohol purchased from street vendors in Istanbul, has reached 23. Another six victims are in critical condition, and Turkish medical personnel are fighting to save their lives.
As reported by Milliyet, Istanbul authorities issued a statement to residents and foreign tourists urging them not to buy anything under any circumstances. alcoholic beverages from street vendors. As a reminder, all the victims were poisoned by aniseed vodka purchased on the streets of the Turkish metropolis.
Since October 18 of this year, 89 people have sought medical attention in Istanbul complaining of acute gastrointestinal pain, vision loss, fainting, and vomiting. Doctors have determined that all of them became victims Acute food poisoning from methyl alcohol. Investigators determined that all the victims had consumed aniseed vodka purchased from street vendors (in five different districts) at the extremely low price of 5 Turkish lira per bottle.
In response to the mass poisonings, Istanbul authorities ordered police to conduct a mass search. As a result of the special operation, 15 people were detained on suspicion of producing and selling counterfeit alcohol. equipment for the production and bottling of denatured alcohol, as well as large quantities of counterfeit alcohol ready for sale.
It should be added that, according to preliminary information, all of the dead and injured are Turkish citizens. There have been no reports of casualties among foreign tourists.
