37 Deaths Linked to Counterfeit Alcohol in Istanbul, Turkey Since November
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Istanbul, Dec 16 (NationPress) Since the start of November, 37 individuals have tragically died from poisoning linked to the consumption of fake alcohol in Turkey's Istanbul, as reported by the Istanbul Governor's Office in a recent statement.
During this timeframe, 73 people have suffered from poisoning due to counterfeit alcohol, with 17 individuals still undergoing treatment in various hospitals.
According to the authorities, investigations concerning these alcohol poisoning cases have led to legal actions against 36 suspects involved in distributing fake alcohol, with 14 arrests made, as noted by the Xinhua news agency.
The Anti-Smuggling and Organised Crime Branch of the Istanbul Police Department has been actively targeting the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit alcohol products. Law enforcement has seized large quantities of fake alcoholic beverages, alongside banderoles, labels, and other equipment used in the production of these illicit products.
Consequently, 32 establishments have been fined for their roles in the illegal production and sale of counterfeit alcohol.
This troubling news emerges as Turkey's tourism sector is poised for a record-breaking year in 2024, with experts anticipating remarkable growth in both visitor numbers and financial returns.
In the first nine months of 2024, Turkey welcomed 49.2 million visitors, generating 46.9 billion US dollars in revenue. This represents a nine percent increase in visitor numbers and a seven percent rise in revenue compared to the same period last year, as per the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
According to Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, these numbers are the highest ever recorded in Turkey’s history, with expectations to exceed the year-end goal of 60 million visitors.
Turkish travel agencies are introducing low-season travel packages to counteract seasonality, particularly for Mediterranean resorts during the winter months.
The popular tourist destination of Antalya attracts over 30,000 tourists daily, a significant portion of whom are European retirees, drawn by its year-round moderate climate and competitive pricing.
