Methanol-Laced Alcohol in Turkey Claims 34 Lives Since New Year

Authorities in Turkey confiscate over 30,000 liters of illegal alcohol as high taxes drive a surge in dangerous homemade spirits.

Since January 1, 2025, 34 people in Turkey have died from consuming methanol-tainted alcohol, with 19 deaths occurring in Istanbul over just two days.
Methanol, a toxic substance often used in industrial products, was found in the illegal alcohol being sold and consumed, leading to severe health risks including blindness, liver damage, and death.
High taxes on alcohol in Turkey have fueled a rise in black-market production, with many individuals attempting to create homemade spirits like Raki, often with deadly consequences.
Authorities have conducted raids, seizing over 30,000 liters of illegal alcohol and arresting nine suspects, while also shutting down 63 shops involved in the trade of tainted liquor.
Travelers and residents are being urged to avoid suspiciously cheap or unsealed alcoholic beverages, as the risks of methanol poisoning remain high.