Turkey Issues Urgent Warning Amid Surge in Bootleg Alcohol Poisoning Cases

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Turkey has issued a stark warning about the dangers of bootleg alcohol following the deaths of 103 people in Ankara and Istanbul since January 2025, attributed to poisoning from illicitly produced beverages. The Independent reports that 70 fatalities occurred in Istanbul starting January 14, while 33 deaths were recorded in Ankara since January 1. Additionally, 230 individuals have been hospitalized, with 40 in critical condition, highlighting a severe health crisis linked to illegally sold alcohol.

The dramatic increase in alcohol-related deaths is reportedly due to heightened prices from steep tax hikes imposed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's AK Party, which has led consumers and establishments to resort to homemade or bootleg alcohol. In response, Istanbul authorities announced measures to combat illegal sales, including mandatory surveillance cameras in liquor shops and the revocation of licenses for offenders. Law enforcement has arrested 24 individuals across both cities and seized over 100 tons of harmful substances. This issue arises as recent deaths in Laos due to methanol-tainted alcohol remind of the global problem of unregulated alcoholic beverages.

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