Fake alcohol crisis in Türkiye: 103 deaths reported in Ankara, Istanbul

The recent surge in counterfeit alcohol-related deaths in Türkiye has raised serious concerns, with authorities reporting 103 fatalities across Ankara and Istanbul in the past weeks.

Officials have intensified crackdowns on illegal alcohol production and sales, as hospitals continue to treat dozens of victims in critical condition.

Death toll rises in major cities

According to official figures:

• Istanbul has recorded 70 deaths linked to counterfeit alcohol since January 14.
• Ankara has reported 33 fatalities since the beginning of the year.
• 40 people remain in intensive care across the two cities.

The number of counterfeit alcohol-related hospitalizations has also risen significantly. In Istanbul alone, the number of patients seeking medical attention due to suspected methanol poisoning increased from 92 to 150 within three weeks.

Meanwhile, Ankara has recorded 69 hospital admissions related to illicit alcohol consumption over the last two weeks, with 12 deaths reported during this period.

Authorities respond with raids and arrests

Authorities have ramped up efforts to combat counterfeit alcohol, conducting nationwide operations targeting illegal production and distribution networks.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gul confirmed:

• 190 individuals were detained in counterfeit alcohol-related operations.
• 11 suspects were arrested.
• 86,274 liters of illicit alcohol were seized.
• A crackdown on fuel smuggling also led to the confiscation of 126,000 liters of illegal fuel, preventing an estimated 259 million lira tax loss.

Similarly, Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin announced that law enforcement detained 32 individuals involved in counterfeit alcohol production and sales. Of these, 13 were formally arrested, while 17 others were placed under judicial supervision.

Public warnings and health risks

Methanol poisoning, commonly linked to the consumption of counterfeit alcohol, poses severe health risks, including blindness, organ failure, and death.

Officials have warned the public to avoid purchasing alcohol from unverified sources and to report any suspected illegal production sites.

The Ankara Governor’s Office issued a public advisory emphasizing the ongoing danger and said, “Our law enforcement and food safety teams continue intensive inspections. Citizens are urged not to buy alcohol from unauthorized sellers and to report any suspected counterfeit production sites.”

Opposition blames the high taxation

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Zeliha Aksaz Sahbaz made a statement on the issue.

In early January, 38 of our 92 citizens who applied to the hospital in Istanbul lost their lives and 26 of them were under intubated treatment. These figures expressed due to illicit alcohol are on the scale of a massacre.

In addition to these figures, we do not have any data on the ongoing losses over time, the loss of lives and injuries in Anatolian cities and towns.

The problem of smuggled alcoholic beverages arises in our country as a result of the inability of our people to access alcohol sold legally due to high taxation in an environment of poverty and economic crisis.

As you know, the taxation of 45 per cent alcohol is almost 70 per cent. Our citizens who cannot reach alcohol due to this taxation turn to illegal alcohol. This is the reason for this massacre and loss of life. It is obvious that these massacres cannot be prevented only by the work of law enforcement and judicial processes.

Zeliha Aksaz Sahbaz, CHP Deputy Chairman