UK Foreign Office issues urgent warning after several die in popular tourist destination

UK holidaymakers travelling to Turkey have been issued advice from the Foreign Office after a number of people died or became seriously ill after drinking illegally produced local spirits.

In the new advice for those travelling to Turkey from the UK, the Foreign Office urge all holiday makers to drink alcohol only from licensed liquor stores and bars and to check labels and bottle seals to ensure they are intact, Wales Online reports.

It comes after 33 people were killed in a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Istanbul last month. Istanbul authorities announced on Thursday, January 16 that the fatalities were due to the consumption of counterfeit beverages containing methanol—a hazardous substance used in industrial applications—instead of ethanol, which is present in legitimate alcoholic products.

The incident also resulted in 43 hospitalisations, with 32 patients requiring intensive care.

The Foreign Office website states: "In Turkey, including Ankara and Istanbul, people have died or suffered serious illness after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.

The Foreign Office advises travellers to:

buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores

buy drinks only at licensed bars and hotels

avoid home-made alcoholic drinks

check bottle seals are intact

check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling

It adds: “If you have any concerns, ask for advice from your tour operator or the Turkish authorities.” For further guidance visit the UK Foreign Office website here.

The Foreign Office have also recently updated their travel advice for those travelling to Turkey during the holy month of Ramadan, which is likely to begin on February 28 or March 1 and last