TURKEY: Death toll from bootleg alcohol rises to 152

At least 152 people have died in Turkey since the start of the year after drinking bootleg alcohol, state news agency Anadolu reported Wednesday. The figure updated an earlier figure of 133 dead given last Friday by Turkish media, which included 70 in Istanbul and 63 in Ankara, where an additional 36 patients were in […]

At least 152 people have died in Turkey since the start of the year after drinking bootleg alcohol, state news agency Anadolu reported Wednesday.
The figure updated an earlier figure of 133 dead given last Friday by Turkish media, which included 70 in Istanbul and 63 in Ankara, where an additional 36 patients were in intensive care.
Poisonings from adulterated alcohol are common in Turkey, where private production has exploded as authorities crank up taxes on alcoholic drinks.
But this year, the death toll has climbed sharply in a short space of time.
Bootleg alcohol is often tainted with methanol, a toxic substance that can cause blindness, liver damage and death. Experts saying just one glass can be deadly, with the effects becoming apparent only six hours later.