Brits issued urgent warning as 33 die from 'methanol-laced alcohol' in popular holiday hotspot

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A suspected methanol poisoning incident has claimed the lives of 33 individuals in a popular Turkish holiday destination, leading to the arrest of four people on charges of "intentional homicide." Istanbul authorities announced on Thursday that the fatalities were due to the consumption of counterfeit beverages containing methanol—a hazardous substance used in industrial applications—instead of ethanol, which is present in legitimate alcoholic products.

The incident also resulted in 43 hospitalisations, with 32 patients requiring intensive care. Methanol, typically found in products like solvents, fuel, pesticides, and antifreeze, can cause severe health issues including blindness, liver damage, and death when present in tainted alcohol.

Following the deaths, four suspects allegedly connected to the distribution of the deadly concoctions have been detained and charged with "intentional homicide," according to a statement from the city's governorate.

Since the beginning of the year, authorities have confiscated 29 tonnes of adulterated alcohol in Istanbul and revoked the licenses of 64 establishments.