The number of people who have died since consuming toxic bootleg alcohol last week in İstanbul has risen to 17, while 22 others are receiving treatment at hospitals after falling ill from drinking counterfeit alcohol, the private DHA news agency reported.
Some 50 people across İstanbul are reported to have been rushed to various hospitals with symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Seven were discharged following treatment.
Nineteen people have been detained as part of an investigation into those allegedly involved in the production or sale of the counterfeit alcohol. Among these, eight have been arrested.
A wider investigation is underway.
Last week, authorities uncovered a large quantity of products used in making fake alcohol products in the course of the investigation. During searches of the suspects’ properties and vehicles, police seized 410 liters of ethyl and methyl alcohol, as well as other materials commonly used in the production of counterfeit alcohol products.
The tragedy highlights the growing risks of the bootleg alcohol trade in Turkey, exacerbated by the high taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products that have made them unaffordable for many.
The government introduced a significant increase in the Special Consumption Tax on these items in early 2022, leading to higher prices. These taxes are deemed by many in Turkey as excessively punitive. As most people’s incomes are not sufficient to afford alcohol, many turn to bootleg products. Turkish media reported 84 deaths as a result of tainted alcohol consumption in December 2021 alone, before the prices shot up.
Data from the Trade Ministry showed in March that a total of 7,386 liters of counterfeit alcohol was seized in the country last year.