Counterfeit alcohol death toll surges to 17 in Istanbul
Confiscated counterfeit alcohol and production equipment displayed at the Beyoglu District Police Department in Istanbul following a series of raids targeting illegal alcohol producers, on Dec. 4, 2024. (AA Photo)
The number of claimed lives by suspected counterfeit alcohol poisoning rose to 17 in Istanbul, and 22 citizens remain under medical treatment.
Over the past few days, 46 individuals were hospitalized with symptoms of counterfeit alcohol poisoning, and 7 have been discharged after treatment.
Authorities have intensified inspections to crack down on the illegal production and distribution of counterfeit alcohol, targeting those who put lives at risk. Police conducted operations in several districts, including Sisli, Beyoglu, Fatih, Kagithane, Esenyurt, Umraniye, Uskudar, Sultangazi, and Bakirkoy.
As a result, 19 individuals were detained, with eight of them subsequently arrested by judicial authorities. The investigations and efforts to curb the distribution of counterfeit alcohol are ongoing.
