Four Dead, 40 Hospitalized After Consuming Contaminated Alcohol

Afimag.com –

Tunisia Authorities have announced the death of four of her citizens, and forty others hospitalized in southern Tunisia after consuming contaminated alcohol.

Fethi Baccouche, the spokesperson for the Medenine court, who confirmed the incident, said an investigation has been launched, and that the authorities have apprehended the culprits responsible for supplying the contaminated drinks.

The reason behind poisoning the drinks is not known as analysis of the alcohol ongoing. While most of the surviving victims have recovered and left the hospital, some required transfer to the capital Tunis for further treatment.

Read Also: Traditional Rulers Told To Prioritize Security Matters In Delta 

Tragically, this incident is not isolated. Tainted alcohol poisonings are a recurring issue in Tunisia, often with devastating consequences. In 2021, five lives were lost and 25 were hospitalised in Kasserine due to contaminated alcohol, and a similar incident in 2020 near Kairouan claimed six lives among 39 poisoned individuals.

The prevalence of homemade alcohol consumption, driven by its affordability compared to commercially available options, is particularly high in impoverished neighbourhoods and remote regions of Tunisia. This illegal practice puts lives at risk, as homemade alcohol often lacks proper quality control and hygiene measures.