11 Dead After Consuming Tainted Alcohol in Istanbul; 38 Hospitalized

ISTANBUL — Eleven people have died and 38 others, including 26 foreigners, were hospitalized in Istanbul after consuming tainted alcohol, Anadolu news agency reported. The victims fell ill after ingesting methanol-laced liquor, a common yet dangerous occurrence in Turkey, where high taxes have led to a rise in illicit alcohol production.

In 2024, 48 people died from alcohol poisoning in Istanbul, with methanol suspected as the cause. The highly addictive drink, raki, a traditional Turkish spirit, is among the most frequently adulterated products. The average price of raki has surged to 1,300 lira (RM167) per liter in stores, making it unaffordable for many.

Private production has boomed amid high taxes on alcoholic beverages, contributing to an increase in alcohol-related fatalities. Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been outspoken against alcohol consumption, citing it as part of his broader push for societal conservatism.