Authorities say 33 people have died and another 43 hospitalised after drinking bootleg alcoholic drinks laced with methanol in Istanbul, Turkey – four people have been arrested
Dozens of people have died after drinking poisoned alcohol at a holiday hotspot.
Authorities in Istanbul, Turkey last night said that 33 people had lost their lives after consuming bootleg drinks laced with methanol. A previous update on Monday had the number at only 11.
Another 43 people were hospitalised and 32 placed in intensive care, officials said, as medics witnessed a sudden 48-hour spike in admissions related to the poisonings. Four people accused of selling contaminated alcoholic drinks were arrested for ‘intentional homicide’, police announced late on Thursday.
Methanol – most often found in solvents, fuel, pesticide and antifreeze – is often found in adulterated alcohol products. It is cheaper than ethanol, another toxic liquid used for this purpose. Methanol is known to cause blindness, liver damage and death.
A total of 29 tonnes of adulterated alcohol have been seized in Istanbul since the start of the year, local government said, and another 64 businesses have had their licenses revoked. The uptick in ethanol poisonings has been blamed on recent tax rises on alcohol, which has encouraged a growth in bootleg brewing operations. Recent figures from Istanbul found that 48 people died in 2024 from adulterated alcohol.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has previously warned British holidaymakers to be wary of “counterfeit” alcohol sold in Istanbul.
Its travel advice reads: “People have died or suffered serious illness in Istanbul, Turkey after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol. To protect yourself: buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores, buy drinks only at licensed bars and hotels, avoid home-made alcoholic drinks, check bottle seals are intact, and check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling. If you have any concerns, ask for advice from your tour operator or the Turkish authorities. Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with falls ill after drinking alcohol.”
In November, Simone White, from Orpington, Kent, died in Laos along with five other tourists after reportedly drinking “free shots” at a backpacker’s hostel. The 28-year-old’s parents said they were “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter”. It is believed the tourists had all taken shots laced with methanol.