The number of people who have died from counterfeit alcohol in Istanbul has risen to 38.

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It is possible to say that deaths related to counterfeit alcohol in Istanbul have now spiraled out of control. With the death of 4 more people today in the megacity, the death toll has risen to 38 in 4 days.

27 PEOPLE INTUBATED

It was reported that 27 of the individuals hospitalized due to counterfeit alcohol poisoning are in an intubated condition, while the treatment of 46 others is ongoing. 8 individuals who have completed their treatment have been discharged.

ISTANBUL GOVERNORATE HAS TAKEN ADDITIONAL MEASURES

On the other hand, the consecutive news of deaths has prompted the Istanbul Governorate to take additional measures regarding the issue. In a written statement, it was announced that in order to prevent the sale and use of counterfeit and illegal alcohol, a camera system capable of recording in high resolution 24/7, which can cover the entire establishment, will be required to be installed in businesses selling alcohol, starting from January 1, 2025, as per the governorate's circular dated October 10, 2024, and that the recordings must be kept for 30 days.

LICENSES ARE BEING REVOKED

Additionally, with the governorate's circular dated January 10, 2025; businesses that sell illegal or counterfeit alcohol and cause death as a result, those identified through inspections as selling illegal or counterfeit alcohol, and those without a sales and presentation certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Tobacco and Alcohol Department, except for exceptions in special laws, will have their business opening and operating licenses revoked by the relevant municipalities, in accordance with the general security and public order opinion of the Provincial Administrative Authority, in addition to administrative actions to be taken as per the regulations, for businesses that sell and present alcohol openly outside the areas designated by the relevant municipal council.

INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO DISTRICT GOVERNORS

In addition to these circulars, it was instructed in writing to the District Governorships to establish inspection teams consisting of representatives from the Provincial Trade Directorate, District Police Department, District Gendarmerie Command, District Municipality, District Health Directorate, and District Agriculture and Forestry Directorate, and that these teams should conduct uninterrupted inspections on a 24-hour basis.

4 PEOPLE ARRESTED

In ongoing operations related to the use and sale of counterfeit and illegal alcohol; 15 suspects identified as having distributed a large amount of counterfeit alcohol to the market were detained, while 4 of them were arrested by the court on charges of "Intentional Homicide." The procedures for 8 suspects are ongoing, while 3 individuals were released.

29 TONS OF COUNTERFEIT ALCOHOL SEIZED

Since January 1, 29 tons of counterfeit alcohol have been seized in operations conducted. The business licenses of 64 establishments identified as selling counterfeit or illegal alcohol have been revoked and closed. The judicial process initiated against the business officials is ongoing. In operations conducted in 2024, a total of 302 tons of counterfeit alcohol had been seized.