The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning to travellers visiting Turkey following a series of fatal alcohol poisonings in the country.
The advisory urges tourists to only purchase alcohol from licensed liquor stores, bars, and restaurants due to the rising risk of counterfeit alcohol.
Reports indicate that over 100 people have died from bootleg liquor poisoning in Turkey’s two largest cities, Istanbul and Ankara, since the beginning of 2024.
In Istanbul alone, 70 deaths have been recorded since January 14, while another 33 fatalities were reported in Ankara, according to local news outlet NTV, which cited Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin.
The FCDO’s updated travel advisory warns visitors to avoid homemade or unregulated alcohol, and to check bottle seals and labels carefully for authenticity, ensuring they do not contain printing errors or tampered packaging.
Turkish authorities have been cracking down on counterfeit alcohol production in response to the crisis.
Last month, authorities in Istanbul seized 29 tonnes of fake alcohol and shut down 64 businesses involved in illegal distribution within two weeks.
Methanol Poisoning – A Growing Global Concern
The counterfeit alcohol crisis is part of a wider international problem. In November, British lawyer Simone White was among six tourists who died from alcohol poisoning in Vang Vieng, Laos, after allegedly consuming tainted liquor.
Similarly, British tourist Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her South African fiancé Arno Els Quinton, were found dead on Boxing Day in Hoi An, Vietnam, due to methanol poisoning after drinking homemade Limoncello.
Methanol, a highly toxic substance unfit for human consumption, is often illegally substituted for ethanol in counterfeit liquor to cut costs.
Raki, Turkey’s aniseed-flavoured national liquor, is one of the most commonly faked alcoholic beverages, with prices soaring to 1,300 lire (£30) per litre, pushing some consumers toward cheaper, dangerous alternatives.
FCDO Travel Advice
The FCDO urges travelers to take precautions when drinking alcohol in Turkey and seek urgent medical attention if they experience symptoms of alcohol poisoning, including blurred vision, nausea, confusion, or difficulty breathing.
With Turkish authorities intensifying inspections to prevent further deaths, travelers are advised to stay informed and follow official safety guidelines when consuming alcohol in the country.
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