19 Dead, 65 Hospitalized in Istanbul After Drinking Illicit Liquor Due to High Alcohol Prices

Special Consumption Tax on Alcoholic Beverages Raised by 13% Earlier This Year
48 Deaths from Illegal Alcohol Consumption Last Year
Harm from Illegal Alcohol Persists Despite Tighter Crackdowns and Surveillance

In Istanbul, the largest city in T?rkiye, a series of deaths occurred after people consumed counterfeit alcohol. On the 15th (local time), the local daily Sabah reported, citing authorities, that as of the morning of that day, a total of 19 people had died in Istanbul over the past 72 hours after drinking illegal alcoholic beverages. Currently, 65 people are hospitalized, of whom 26 are identified as foreigners.

An alley scene in Istanbul, unrelated to the article content. Photo by Asia Economy.

The Turkish government raised the special consumption tax on certain alcoholic beverages, including the traditional liquor 'Rakı,' by 13% earlier this year. Due to the high prices of alcoholic drinks, the production of illegal alcohol has been rampant. Illegal alcohol manufacturers use low-cost toxic substances such as methanol to produce illicit liquor, leading to an increase in fatalities. Experts warn that even a small amount of methanol consumption can be fatal. Ingesting methanol can cause severe side effects, including blindness, kidney failure, and neurological disorders. Istanbul Governor Davut G?l also warned via social media (SNS) that "all parties involved in selling counterfeit or illegal alcohol that causes death will face legal consequences."

According to the Istanbul provincial authorities, 110 people were poisoned by illegal alcohol in Istanbul last year alone, with 48 of them dying. In response, the provincial authorities plan to continue investigations into facilities selling illegal alcohol. Businesses involved in unlicensed alcohol sales or linked to fatal incidents will have their operating licenses permanently revoked.

Since October last year, Istanbul authorities have mandated the installation of 24-hour, year-round video surveillance systems at all alcohol sales establishments. In particular, in January of this year, penalties were strengthened by revoking licenses of businesses operating without permits or selling illegal alcohol outside designated areas. However, despite increased enforcement and monitoring by law enforcement agencies, harm caused by illegal alcohol continues. According to the Turkish government’s announcement, there were a total of 110 cases of poisoning from illegal alcohol last year, with 48 deaths among them.