33 dead from counterfeit alcohol consumption in Türkiye

A total of 33 people have died, and 20 others remain in intensive care due to counterfeit alcohol consumption in Türkiye's capital Ankara, reported Xinhua, quoting local NTV on Friday.

The report quoted Ankara provincial Governor Vasip Sahin as saying that 32 people were detained, 13 of whom were placed under arrest.

The Ankara provincial governor's office had previously issued a public warning on Tuesday against the use of counterfeit alcohol.

Similar incidents have been reported in other cities. In Istanbul, at least 90 people were hospitalized due to fake-alcohol poisoning in January, with 38 fatalities.

Most deaths are caused by methanol poisoning, which occurs when toxic methanol is used in the production of illicit alcohol products.

Turkish authorities have intensified efforts to crack down on the production and sale of counterfeit alcohol, urging the public to avoid unlicensed beverages.