11 die from consuming counterfeit alcohol in Istanbul

Eleven people have died in hospitals in Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city, in the past 24 hours after consuming counterfeit alcohol, and two suspects have been detained, reported Xinhua, quoting local media on Tuesday.

According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, 38 individuals, including 26 foreign nationals, sought medical treatment at various hospitals across the city due to health issues related to counterfeit alcohol consumption. The agency reported that 11 of them have died.

The NTV broadcaster reported that authorities discovered two individuals of Turkmen nationality allegedly involved in selling counterfeit alcohol at their workplace in the Basaksehir district. Both individuals were arrested and taken into custody.

During the raid, authorities seized approximately 50 liters of counterfeit alcohol, 36 drug pills, five pieces of narcotic substances, a precision scale, opium resin, counterfeit migrant identity cards, and a large quantity of medical drugs.

The suspects are being investigated on charges of "causing death by negligence," "drug trafficking," "producing and selling counterfeit alcohol," possessing "unidentified medical drugs," "human trafficking," and "forgery of official documents," according to the report.