German Foreign Office Warns Tourists About Methanol-Laced Alcohol in Turkey

Travelers to Istanbul and Ankara are urged to exercise caution following reports of methanol poisoning linked to counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

The German Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory for Turkey, warning about methanol-laced alcohol in Istanbul and Ankara.
Methanol, a toxic and odorless substance, has been found in counterfeit alcoholic beverages, leading to cases of poisoning and fatalities.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning include dizziness, nausea, headaches, and in severe cases, blindness or death; early symptoms may mimic a typical alcohol-induced state.
Tourists are advised to purchase alcohol only in sealed, original packaging with official licensing marks, such as tax banderoles, to avoid counterfeit products.
The advisory highlights the dangers of consuming unregulated alcohol, which has proliferated due to increased taxes on alcoholic beverages in Turkey.