09 February 2025 , 18:57
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People travelling to Turkey have been warned about the risk of counterfeit alcohol after more than 100 deaths across the country.
The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its list of risks for Turkey urging visitors to only buy alcohol from licensed liquor stores, bars and restaurants.
It comes after reports that more than 100 people have been killed by bootleg alcohol poisoning in Ankara and Istanbul.
In Istanbul, 70 people have died from the poisoning since January 14, NTV said, although it did not cite a source. More than 100 in the city also died from counterfeit alcohol last year.
In the capital Ankara 33 have died since the start of the year, NTV added, citing Ankara governor Vasip Sahin.
The advice, on the FCDO’s website, says people should not drink home-made alcohol, and check bottle seals are in tact and labels are printed in high quality and don’t have spelling mistakes.
It warns: ‘In Turkey, including Ankara and Istanbul, people have died or suffered serious illness after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.’
The FCDO says if you or anyone you know falls ill after drinking alcohol seek urgent medical attention.
It’s believed 70 people have died from alcohol poisoning since mid-January (Credits: Getty Images)
As previously reported in the Metro, Turkish authorities last month intensified inspections to crack down on the production and distribution of counterfeit alcohol.
In Istanbul 29 tonnes were seized and 64 businesses shut down in the space of two weeks.
Turkey is one of several countries struggling to control the sale of highly dangerous alcohol.
In November British lawyer Simone White was one of six travellers killed by ‘poisoned alcohol’ while on holiday in Vang Vieng, in Laos, after allegedly being given free shots.
Meanwhile, Brit Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her South African fiance Arno Els Quinton were found dead on Boxing Day in Hoi An in Vietnam as a result of methanol poisoning.
They allegedly drank homemade Limencello bought from a local restaurant.
In most cases of deaths by alcohol poisoning, methanol is the killer ingredient.
The substance – which is unfit for human consumption – is often added to alcohol instead of ethanol because it is cheaper.
The most commonly faked drink in Turkey is raki, an aniseed-flavoured national liquor.
Its price has leapt to around 1,300 lira (£30) a litre in supermarkets, so many are seeking out cheaper – but ultimately dangerous alternatives.
For more information on the situation in Turkey visit the Foreign Office website here.