Industrial Alcohol Poisoning Continues in Iran
Following the outbreak of the coronavirus and incorrect consumption of industrial alcohol to prevent the virus, the number of victims of industrial alcohol poisoning is on the rise.
Based on news published by ISNA news agency, the head of the Crisis Management and Medical Emergency Center of Fars Province announced that the trend of alcohol poisoning in the province is increasing, and by Thursday, April 27, at least 606 people have been admitted to hospitals and medical centers in the province due to alcohol poisoning, of which 532 people have been hospitalized.
According to this report, in the past 24 hours, at least two more people have died as a result of alcohol poisoning in the province, which brings the death toll from industrial alcohol consumption in Fars Province to 74 people so far.
News of poisoning among Iranian citizens following the consumption of industrial alcohol is not limited to Fars Province. In recent days, reports published by Iran’s official news agencies have indicated poisoning of citizens residing in other provinces including Alborz, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Razavi Khorasan, East Azerbaijan, and Kermanshah Province.
Based on published reports, to date at least 21 citizens residing in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province and 20 citizens of East Azerbaijan have also died.
Previously, Voice of America reported that at least 240 people died from industrial alcohol poisoning in various provinces of Iran in the past month. A figure that, based on reports published in recent days, has shown an upward increase.
The new wave of alcohol poisoning in Iran intensified after rumors spread about the effects of drinking alcohol in preventing coronavirus infection. According to officials, some people mixed methanol (industrial alcohol), which is toxic and deadly, with chemical substances in alcohol and sold it to people as an alcoholic beverage. Experts say that drinking alcoholic beverages has no effect in preventing coronavirus infection.
Source: Voice of America
