Istanbul Grapples with Surge in Fatal Counterfeit Alcohol Poisonings, Death Toll Reaches 23

A deadly surge in methanol poisoning from counterfeit alcohol has claimed the lives of at least 23 people in Istanbul this week, with dozens more in critical condition, Bloomberg reports.

The city is grappling with what officials are calling a significant spike in cases, raising concerns about the widespread availability of dangerous, unregulated alcohol.

According to a statement from the Istanbul governor’s office, methanol poisoning cases have “increased significantly” since Monday. As of now, 32 individuals are intubated in hospitals, fighting for their lives. The current casualty count is rapidly approaching half the total number of deaths recorded from similar incidents in all of 2024, which stood at 48.

Methanol, a cheaper alternative to the agricultural ethanol used in legitimate spirits, is typically found in industrial products like wax, paints, perfumes, and chemical cleaning products. The consumption of methanol by humans can cause a range of severe health problems, including blindness, kidney failure, and death.

The alarming rise in fatalities has sparked debate about the factors contributing to the proliferation of counterfeit alcohol. Tax expert Ozan Bingol directly attributed the surge to steep tax hikes on alcohol, which he stated have increased by a staggering 2,553% since 2010. Bingol argued on social media platform X that “The Special Consumption Tax has turned into a structure to regulate lifestyles, instead of a tool for tax policy,” suggesting that the high taxes are driving consumers to cheaper, more dangerous alternatives.

In an attempt to combat the counterfeit alcohol trade, security forces have seized over 330 tons of fake alcohol and shut down dozens of businesses, including restaurants, since January of last year, the governor’s office reported. However, these measures appear to be insufficient in stemming the flow of dangerous products.