4 days ago
Kuwait alcohol poisoning: 23 killed as number of cases jumps to 160
Kuwait's health ministry said 160 people had suffered methanol poisoning from contaminated alcoholic drinks, resulting in 23 deaths.
Most of the fatalities and people affected by the poisoning are of Asian nationalities, it stated.
Late on Wednesday, the ministry stated in a statement on X that 51 people required urgent kidney dialysis and 31 needed mechanical ventilation.
It added that there were 21 cases of blindness or impaired vision.
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Kuwait bans the import or domestic production of alcoholic beverages, but some is manufactured in the country illegally in secret locations that lack any oversight or safety standards, exposing consumers to the risk of poisoning.
A tragic accident took place in Kuwait in 2023, resulting in two deaths and two injuries, according to the Ministry of Interior of the Gulf country. Local media reports say that the driver was a 'fashionista' who was intoxicated by drugs.
The Embassy of India in Kuwait, which has the largest expatriate community in the Gulf state, said around 40 Indian nationals have been hospitalised in the last few days, without specifying the cause.
"There have been some fatalities, some are in a critical condition while others are recovering," it added in a statement on X, noting that it is seeking further details.
The Kuwaiti Health Ministry said that most poisoning cases were admitted to intensive care units, requiring mechanical ventilation and urgent kidney dialysis.
It also called on the immediately report of any suspected poisoning cases via emergency hotlines communication channels.
Methanol poisoning is considered serious and potentially life-threatening. Early symptoms includ headache, dizzines nausea and vomiting.
If not treated, severe methanol poisoning can lead to metabolic acidosis (highly acidic blood, multi-organ failure and death.
