Turkey battles deadly rise in counterfeit alcohol poisonings
In Istanbul, 22 people have died due to poisoning from illegally distributed alcohol. The crisis related to counterfeit liquor has been ongoing since last week, with the number of victims increasing each day.
Several dozen others have been hospitalized with severe symptoms. According to doctors, the cause of the deaths and health problems is the consumption of moonshine distributed on the black market.
Turkish media report that this crisis has persisted since last week. The police are intensifying efforts to combat illegal alcohol production.
The police warn against buying
The Turkish police have issued a statement regarding extensive measures, including raids, searches, and inspections. Authorities are targeting producers and factories that manufacture illegal alcohol.
They strongly advise against purchasing alcohol from unlicensed stores. Nineteen people have been detained, with ten arrested for producing illegal substances.
The proliferation of the alcohol underworld in Turkey is largely attributed to the steep prices of alcoholic beverages, which have surged after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to impose high taxes on alcohol.
Many critics argue that these economic measures are a way for the authorities to enforce Islamic values in the country. However, a significant side effect has been the expansion of the black market for alcohol.
With the New Year approaching and the demand for alcohol rising, the issue of counterfeit liquor is worsening. According to RMF24, the number of deaths from poisoned alcohol becomes a chronic problem at this time of year.
