33 people have died in Istanbul due to suspected methanol poisoning this week, while 48 others are in the hospital after consuming contaminated alcohol, as reported by Turkey’s state news agency.
Officials state that the individuals ingested alcohol laced with methanol, a poisonous industrial substance, as opposed to ethanol, the standard type of alcohol found in beverages.
According to the governorate of Istanbul, four suspects have been apprehended for distributing the fatal concoctions and have been charged with “intentional homicide.”
Since the start of the year, officials have seized a staggering 29 tonnes of adulterated alcohol and shut down 64 businesses for violations.
But store owners say the root of the problem is sky-high alcohol taxes, which they claim are pushing people toward bootleg production.
Investigations are ongoing.
Last year, methanol-laced drinks killed 48 people in Istanbul alone, as underground distilleries scramble to meet demand fueled by government levies.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a devout Muslim often accused of trying to impose conservative values on society, has long railed against drinking and smoking.
Critics argue his tough stance on alcohol, coupled with heavy taxes, is driving the spike in dangerous, illegal booze.
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