|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Kuwait City, August 14, 2025 — Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a tragic outbreak of methanol poisoning linked to contaminated alcoholic beverages, resulting in 13 deaths and 21 cases of blindness or impaired vision over a five-day period. A total of 63 individuals, all of Asian nationalities, were affected by the toxic exposure.
🧪 Methanol Poisoning Crisis
The ministry reported that the victims consumed illicitly produced alcohol containing methanol, a highly toxic industrial chemical often used as a substitute for ethanol in unregulated beverages. Methanol ingestion can lead to severe health consequences, including kidney failure, respiratory distress, blindness, and death.
Among the 63 affected:
- 51 patients required urgent kidney dialysis
- 31 were placed on mechanical ventilation
- 21 suffered permanent or partial vision loss
🚫 Alcohol Ban and Illicit Production
Kuwait enforces a strict ban on the import, sale, and domestic production of alcoholic beverages. However, authorities acknowledge that illegal alcohol production persists in secret, unregulated locations, posing serious risks to public health.
Unlike some neighboring countries, Kuwait does not allow exceptions to its alcohol ban for tourists or non-Muslim residents, making underground production the only source for many seeking alcoholic beverages.
🇮🇳 Impact on Indian Nationals
The Embassy of India in Kuwait, which represents the country’s largest expatriate community, confirmed that around 40 Indian nationals have been hospitalized in recent days. While the embassy did not specify the cause, it acknowledged fatalities and critical conditions among those affected, and stated that it is seeking further details.
🗣️ Official Response and Investigation
Kuwait’s health ministry issued a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressing concern over the scale of the incident and confirming that investigations are underway. Authorities are expected to crack down on illegal alcohol networks and enhance public awareness about the dangers of consuming unregulated substances.
