More than a hundred people have died from poisoning caused by counterfeit alcohol in Ankara and Istanbul after authorities warned of the increasing sale of illegal liquor being presented as major brand-name products.
It was reported that in Istanbul, 70 people have died from poisoning since January 14th. Furthermore, another 33 people have died in the capital, Ankara, since the beginning of the year.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office was not immediately available for comment.
An additional 230 people in the two cities have been hospitalized. Of those in hospitals, 40 are in critical condition.
Alcohol prices have surged in recent years due to high taxes imposed by President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party, which has Islamist roots. Alcohol producers are also facing increasing tax burdens and other restrictions.
