Kuwait City: The death toll in Kuwait’s spurious liquor tragedy has gone up to 23, authorities have confirmed. Nearly 160 people have been admitted to hospitals across the city. Several of them are under intensive care.
Most of those who have died so far were migrants from the Indian state of Kerala, it has been learnt. Many of those admitted to the hospitals have lost their vision and others are undergoing kidney dialysis, Kuwait’s health department has said.
It has been confirmed that methanol was used in the brewing of the hooch. All victims are said to have procured the liquor from the same source in Jalub Block 4.
“The incident was first reported on Sunday. Gradually, more reports started coming in and the hospitalisation rate grew. We have regularly warned people against the consumption of such items. Consumption of alcohol is banned in Kuwait,” an official said.
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.
The incident has raised questions on the wisdom of prohibition that cannot be effectively imposed. Most Islamic nations do not permit citizens – particularly the Muslim population – to consume liquor. UAE does issue licences to expatriates to consume liquor in the privacy of their homes. Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is also considering allowing the consumption of liquor by foreigners in a select few tourist destinations.
It is a known fact that prohibition results in bootlegging and hooch tragedies. Less than a year ago, over 35 people died in the dry state of Bihar after consuming spurious liquor.
