Thirteen dead, dozens injured in Kuwait alcohol poisoning linked to methanol
The ministry said hospitals treated 63 people for alcohol poisoning over the same period, including 31 patients who required artificial respiration, 51 who underwent urgent dialysis, and 21 who suffered permanent blindness or severe visual impairment.
Methanol is a highly toxic industrial alcohol used in chemical manufacturing and paints. The ministry warned that even small amounts can cause blindness or death and urged the public never to consume it.
Alcohol imports have been banned in Kuwait since 1964, and consumption was criminalized in the 1980s. Authorities say this has led to a black market in illegal alcoholic beverages, which are often contaminated or produced in unsafe conditions.
Officials urged residents to report suspected alcohol poisoning cases through hospitals or approved hotlines and confirmed that investigations are underway to identify the source of the contaminated drinks. Security agencies continue to monitor unlicensed distribution outlets. — Agencies
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Thirteen dead, dozens injured in Kuwait alcohol poisoning linked to methanol
KUWAIT CITY — Thirteen Asian nationals have died in Kuwait since Saturday from alcohol poisoning caused by methanol-tainted drinks, the Ministry of Health announced Wednesday. The ministry said hospitals treated 63 people for alcohol poisoning over the same period, including 31 patients who required artificial respiration, 51 who underwent urgent dialysis, and 21 who suffered permanent blindness or severe visual impairment. Methanol is a highly toxic industrial alcohol used in chemical manufacturing and paints. The ministry warned that even small amounts can cause blindness or death and urged the public never to consume it. Alcohol imports have been banned in Kuwait since 1964, and consumption was criminalized in the 1980s. Authorities say this has led to a black market in illegal alcoholic beverages, which are often contaminated or produced in unsafe conditions. Officials urged residents to report suspected alcohol poisoning cases through hospitals or approved hotlines and confirmed that investigations are underway to identify the source of the contaminated drinks. Security agencies continue to monitor unlicensed distribution outlets. — Agencies
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Tainted alcohol kills 13 in Kuwait: Health ministry
Consumption of tainted alcohol has killed 13 people in Kuwait in recent days, with dozens of others requiring urgent medical care, the Gulf state's health ministry announced on Wednesday. 'Hospitals have dealt with 63 cases of alcohol poisoning resulting from the consumption of beverages contaminated with methanol since last Saturday,' the ministry said in a statement. Importing alcohol was banned by Kuwait's government in 1964, and its consumption was criminalized in the 1980s. According to the health ministry, the rare spate of alcohol poisonings resulted in 21 cases of blindness and impaired vision, 51 cases requiring urgent dialysis and 31 cases requiring a ventilator, with all the patients coming from Kuwait's Asian expatriate community. A large proportion of Kuwait's population comprises migrant workers from South Asia, who are heavily represented in the construction, domestic service and retail sectors.
