British tourists warned about fake alcohol in Türkiye
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has warned British visitors to Türkiye about the danger of poisoned spirits as the country’s counterfeit alcohol problem continues to escalate.
However, across Türkiye, the crisis has continued to worsen.
In excess of 100 people in Istanbul and the capital Ankara have reportedly been fatally poisoned since the start of this year, with many more hospitalised and others left in a critical condition.
One reason often cited for why Türkiye has such an issue with fake alcohol is that the tax on raki, the national spirit, is incredibly high, having increased by around 2,500% since 2010, creating a lucrative black market for cheaper, home-distilled alternatives.
Warnings
Last week, the FCDO updated its information on ‘safety and security’ for British nationals visiting Türkiye to include information about the dangers of buying drinks in the country:
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“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.
To protect yourself:
- Buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores
- Buy drinks only at licensed bars and hotels
- Avoid home-made alcoholic drinks
- Check bottle seals are intact
- Check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling
If you have any concerns, ask for advice from your tour operator or the Turkish authorities.
Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with falls ill after drinking alcohol.”
Among the symptoms of methanol poisoning, which is a common ingredient in bootleg alcohol, are dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Türkiye is not alone in having a problem with methanol-tainted drinks – it is also apparent in Laos, where several backpackers died due to drinking contaminated spirits.
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