Since January 1, more than 103 people have died in Turkey from consuming toxic alcohol over a period of one and a half months. Additionally, 230 others have been hospitalized, with 40 of them in critical condition.
Among the deceased, six were foreign tourists. The youngest victim was also a tourist—a 19-year-old Australian woman.
The incidents occurred in the capital, Ankara, and the major tourist city of Istanbul. No reports of illness or death due to toxic alcohol consumption have emerged from any other cities.
Although Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, alcohol is not banned. However, due to high taxation, alcohol prices have been rising in recent years. The government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has imposed heavy taxes and strict regulations on alcohol manufacturers. In 2025, new taxes on alcohol and tobacco products were introduced.
Taking advantage of this situation, some unscrupulous producers have been selling homemade alcohol at significantly lower prices. Initially, they only sold their products to individual drinkers, but now, such alcohol is available in various shops and restaurants.
To increase potency, these homemade alcoholic beverages often contain excessive amounts of methanol, ethanol (spirit), and other harmful chemicals. As a result, many people have fallen ill or died after consuming these adulterated drinks.
Following the deaths of over a hundred people in Ankara and Istanbul, government authorities have launched a crackdown in both cities. So far, 13 people have been arrested in Ankara and 11 in Istanbul for producing and distributing toxic alcohol. Additionally, authorities have seized 102 tons of methanol and ethanol, along with more than 86,000 liters of alcohol.