The number of people who have died from consuming toxic alcohol since November 1 in İstanbul has risen to 37, while a major operation against those involved in the production of bootleg alcohol has led to the detention of 85 people, Turkish authorities announced.
Since last month a total of 73 people across İstanbul have been rushed to hospitals with symptoms of alcohol poisoning, with 37 of them dying, while 17 are still hospitalized, according to a statement from the İstanbul Governor’s Office on Monday.
Fourteen people have been arrested so far as part of an ongoing investigation into the production of the bootleg alcohol, the governor’s office said.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya also announced on X the details of a widening operation targeting those involved in producing the toxic alcohol.
The minister said in addition to the detention of 85 people, 40,388 liters of bootleg alcohol and ethyl alcohol have been seized over the past 10 days as part of operations carried out by the gendarmerie.
“Our operations against bootleg alcohol production are continuing non-stop in order to protect the lives and health of our citizens,” Yerlikaya said.
Sahte Alkole Karşı 81 İlde ÇENGEL Operasyonlarımız Kararlılıkla devam ediyor.
Jandarma tarafından son 10 gündür düzenlenen “ÇENGEL-11” operasyonlarında;
⚠️40 bin 388 litre Sahte Alkol ve Etil Alkol ele geçirildi❗️
⛔️Sahte Alkol Üretimi yaptığı tespit edilen 85 şüpheli… pic.twitter.com/ArypnPWgrj— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) December 16, 2024
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. The taxes are considered by many in Turkey to be 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 bootleg alcohol were seized in the country last year.