More than 100 have died from bootleg alcohol in Turkey in recent weeks

More than 100 people have died due to bootleg alcohol in Turkey's capital Ankara and megacity Istanbul while dozens were hospitalized since mid-January.

Friday February 07 2025 11:04 pm

Reuters

More than 100 people have died from poisoning by bootleg alcohol in Ankara and Istanbul, Turkish media outlet NTV reported on Feb. 7, after authorities warned about rising sales of illicit booze being passed off as big name brands.

In Istanbul, 70 people died from the poisoning since Jan. 14, NTV said, without citing its source. Another 33 have died in the capital Ankara since the start of the year, NTV said, citing Ankara governor Vasip Şahin.

The office of Istanbul's governor could not immediately be reached for comment.

Another 230 people in the two cities have been hospitalized, the broadcaster said. Of those in hospitals, 40 were in a critical condition, NTV said.

The price of alcoholic beverages has rocketed in recent years due to heavy taxes imposed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Islamist-rooted ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Alcoholic drinks makers have also faced an increasingly onerous tax burden and other restrictions.

The high costs have pushed some consumers and shops, restaurants, and bars to rely on bootleg alcohol and homemade drinks, leading to rising poisoning in recent years.

The government again hiked taxes on alcohol and tobacco products for 2025 on Jan. 3.

Last month, the Istanbul Governor's Office said it had taken steps to combat bootleg sales and distribution, including mandatory cameras at shops selling alcohol, suspending or revoking sale licenses, and carrying out regular inspections.

Authorities have arrested 13 people in Ankara and 11 others in Istanbul, NTV said, citing the local governors. They have seized 102 tons of methanol and ethanol in Ankara, and over 86,000 litres of bootleg or smuggled alcohol in Istanbul, it added.