The Alborz University of Medical Sciences announced on Tuesday, June 30, that the number of victims of alcohol poisoning in Karaj has increased to 15. According to the report, the consumption of alcohol produced by a hair spray factory in the Eshtehard industrial town has led to alcohol poisoning in 182 people. Some informed sources have also reported to domestic media that three to four of the poisoned individuals have gone blind. Previously, Hossein Babakan, the head of the Social Security Hospital in Alborz province, mentioned that the poisoning of these individuals was due to the consumption of methanol-type alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, in recent days, some officials of the Islamic Republic have refrained from releasing unified figures on this issue, providing incomplete and contradictory statistics instead. The rising number of victims and injured from alcohol poisoning in Karaj has also prompted a reaction from the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, emphasized on Monday, June 29, that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden, stating: 'Those who consume intoxicants are committing a forbidden act.' Experts believe that one reason for the increase in the number of alcohol poisoning deaths is the reluctance of patients to seek treatment due to fear of judicial repercussions. According to a report by the World Health Organization published in 2018, Iran ranks ninth in the world for alcohol consumption. Based on the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the purchase, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages are illegal. However, reports indicate a widespread underground production and sale of alcoholic drinks in recent decades, absent legal oversight in the country. This point was also highlighted by Mohammad Kazem Attari, a physician residing in the United States, in an interview with Voice of America. According to statistics published by Islamic Republic officials, between March 2020 and April 2021, over three thousand people suffered from alcohol poisoning, with six hundred of them dying. The number of victims of 'fake alcohol' has risen to 16; several boys and girls in Karaj have gone blind. The continuation of industrial alcohol poisoning in Iran has led to the number of victims in Fars reaching 79. The deaths caused by counterfeit alcoholic beverages in Iran have been reported in the New York Times. The increase in victims from homemade alcohol in Iran has resulted in 24 deaths and 290 poisonings.
The Number of Alcohol Poisoning Victims in Karaj Increases to 15
The number of alcohol poisoning victims in Karaj, Iran, has risen to 15, with 182 affected by methanol-based drinks from a local factory. This incident has sparked controversy and concern among officials, highlighting the ongoing issues of illegal alcohol consumption in a country where such practices are banned.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
In Karaj, Iran, the number of alcohol poisoning victims has risen to 15, with 182 people affected after consuming methanol-based drinks from a local factory. This incident has drawn attention to the ongoing issues of illegal alcohol production and consumption in the country.
- The alcohol poisoning was caused by methanol-type beverages produced illegally.
- Fear of judicial repercussions has led to underreporting and reluctance to seek medical help among victims.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Alcohol consumption is illegal in Iran, leading to a significant underground market that poses health risks to consumers. Reports indicate a high rate of alcohol-related health issues due to unregulated production.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%