Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:34am on 12 Feb 2025,Wednesday International
Turkey has issued a warning against bootleg alcohol after 103 people died from poisoning in Ankara and Istanbul since January. Authorities reported 230 hospitalizations, with 40 in critical condition. The rise in illegal alcohol sales follows increased taxes under President Tayyip Erdogan’s government, making legitimate alcohol unaffordable for many. Police have arrested 24 suspects and seized over 86,000 liters of smuggled alcohol. Istanbul’s governor has enforced stricter regulations, including mandatory shop cameras and license suspensions. This crisis follows similar methanol-related deaths in Laos, where six tourists, including an American and a British backpacker, lost their lives.
