07.02.2025 15:42
Between January 14 and February 6 in Istanbul, 70 people lost their lives due to counterfeit alcohol, and 150 people were hospitalized. Today, Governor Vasip Şahin, who shared information about the counterfeit alcohol toll in Ankara, stated that 33 people had died and 20 were being treated in intensive care.
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As the toll of deaths from counterfeit alcohol in Turkey continues to rise since the beginning of the year, alarming data was shared for Istanbul following the announcement today that 33 people lost their lives in the capital, Ankara.
70 CASUALTIES FROM COUNTERFEIT ALCOHOL IN ISTANBUL
Providing information about the efforts to combat counterfeit and smuggled alcohol, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated that 70 people lost their lives due to counterfeit alcohol in the megacity between January 14 and February 6.
"As part of the fight against counterfeit and smuggled alcohol, 190 individuals were apprehended, 11 were arrested, and 86,274 liters of counterfeit-smuggled alcohol were seized. In our fight against fuel smuggling, 126,000 liters of smuggled fuel were seized in 371 inspections. By preventing the release of all these smuggled products into the market, a tax loss of 259 million lira was avoided," he said.
33 PEOPLE DIED IN ANKARA
Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin stated that 33 people lost their lives due to counterfeit alcohol in the city, and 20 people are currently under intensive care. In a speech at the opening of the Anafartalar Şehit Kamil Arslan Police Center, Şahin noted that serious death incidents related to counterfeit alcohol have been observed in Ankara in recent days, expressing that this situation deeply saddens them and has put them on higher alert.
Şahin noted that law enforcement agencies are working day and night to combat those who endanger citizens' lives by producing counterfeit alcoholic beverages and that inspections are ongoing. He reported that approximately 102 tons of ethyl and methyl alcohol have been seized as a result of these efforts, with 62 tons obtained from ongoing operations in Düzce and Konya, and about 40 tons seized within the provincial borders.
"20 PEOPLE ARE UNDER TREATMENT IN OUR HOSPITALS"
Şahin stated, "What is striking and very sad for us here is that unfortunately, 33 of our citizens have died due to the use of this counterfeit alcohol. Currently, 20 people are also under intensive care in our hospitals. In relation to this issue, actions have been taken against 32 individuals involved in the production and sale of smuggled alcohol, 13 of whom have been arrested, while 17 have been released under judicial control by the judicial authorities to which they were referred with a request for arrest."
Calling on citizens to stay away from alcohol, Şahin said, "Alcohol is a harmful substance that is not suitable for our health or future. Especially counterfeit alcohol is a substance that endangers life. Therefore, alcohol should not be consumed, but if it is to be consumed, it must be purchased from authorized sellers and known places; otherwise, we face tragic scenes."
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