Crisis in Istanbul: Rise in deaths from counterfeit alcohol
In Istanbul, 22 people have died due to poisoning from illegally distributed alcohol. The crisis related to counterfeit liquor has been ongoing since last week, with the number of victims increasing daily.
22 people have already died in Istanbul due to poisoning, while several dozen others have been hospitalised with severe symptoms. Doctors have diagnosed that the cause of the deaths and health problems is the consumption of moonshine distributed on the black market.
Turkish media report that the crisis involving counterfeit alcohol has been ongoing since last week. The police are intensifying efforts against illegal alcohol producers.
The police warn against buying
The Turkish police have issued a statement about extensive actions - raids, searches, and inspections. Producers and factories of illegal alcohol are being sought.
The authorities warn against buying alcohol in unlicensed shops. Nineteen people have already been detained, with ten arrested for producing illegal substances.
The reason for the growth of the alcohol underworld in Turkey is the very high prices of alcoholic beverages, which increased significantly after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to impose high taxes on alcohol.
Many critics argue that the authorities are imposing Islamic values on the country through this economic pressure. However, a side effect is the growth of the black market for alcohol.
The approaching New Year and the rising demand for alcohol are exacerbating the problem with counterfeit liquors. RMF24 reports that every year at this time, the number of deaths from poisoned alcohol becomes a chronic problem.
