5 Uzbeks die from counterfeit alcohol poisoning in Turkey

Five Uzbek citizens tragically died from poisoning caused by counterfeit alcohol in Istanbul, Turkey, in a single day. The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul confirmed the deaths in a statement.

According to the consulate, on January 14, relatives of the five deceased Uzbeks contacted them to report the deaths, which were linked to the consumption of counterfeit alcohol purchased in the Aksaray district of Istanbul. 

"The victims, all men aged between 35 and 40, were identified as leaving behind minor children, the report stated.

This incident follows a similar tragedy in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where five people also died from alcohol poisoning. Preliminary reports indicate that the victims in Samarkand died on January 11, 2025. The deceased, including individuals identified as A.M., J.B., V.B., and O.T., suffered fatal outcomes despite receiving medical attention, with most of the victims being known alcoholics.