Tainted alcohol leaves 13 Asians dead, 21 blinded in Kuwait, health ministry says

 

Kuwait’s health ministry has confirmed that 63 people have been poisoned by methanol after drinking contaminated alcohol in the past five days. The poisoning has resulted in 13 deaths and caused blindness or severe vision problems in 21 others. All victims are reported to be of Asian nationalities. Many of the affected individuals are in critical condition, with 51 requiring urgent kidney dialysis and 31 needing mechanical ventilation to survive. Kuwait strictly bans the import and production of alcoholic beverages. However, illegal alcohol is secretly manufactured within the country in unregulated and unsafe locations. These operations often use dangerous chemicals, leading to toxic batches that can cause severe injury or death. The incident highlights the deadly risks associated with consuming such illicit products.

The Embassy of India in Kuwait has stated that about 40 Indian nationals have been hospitalized over the past several days. While the embassy did not directly confirm the cause of their illness, the timing aligns with the reported methanol poisoning cases. The embassy noted that there have been fatalities among its nationals, some patients remain in critical condition, and others are recovering. Officials are in contact with local authorities to obtain more details. Methanol, often used in industrial products, is highly toxic to humans when ingested. Even small amounts can lead to blindness or death. The tragedy has sparked renewed concerns about the underground alcohol market in Kuwait, where desperate consumers sometimes turn to unsafe, homemade brews due to the alcohol ban. Health officials are warning residents to avoid any suspicious beverages and seek immediate treatment if they experience symptoms such as blurred vision, vomiting, or difficulty breathing after consuming alcohol.

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