Over 35 people have died in the past six weeks after consuming illegally produced alcohol in Istanbul, Turkish authorities announced.
Another 40 people have been hospitalized with symptoms of poisoning, 23 of whom have already been discharged.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office confirmed that 37 deaths have been recorded so far.
Authorities announced that 14 individuals have been arrested, and raids have been carried out at more than a thousand locations in the city, seizing 14.700 bottles of alcohol. The operation is ongoing.
In Turkey, taxes drive up the prices of alcoholic beverages, which encourages illegal production.
