More than 120 people have died in Turkey since the start of the year due to the consumption of adulterated alcohol, according to a count by Turkey’s Anadolu news agency.

In the capital Ankara, 54 people have died and some 40 others are being treated in intensive care units (ICUs), Anadolu reported today, which on February 7 reported 70 deaths in Istanbul since mid-January. At least 33 of the Istanbul victims are Uzbeks, according to the Uzbek consulate.

Turkish reports said several deaths were recorded at a restaurant selling adulterated alcohol for 60 Turkish liras (1.60 euros) a liter.

A liter of raki, a traditional drink which in Turkey is flavored with aniseed, is sold in shops for around 1,300 Turkish liras (35 euros).

Some 30 suspects accused of involvement in the production or sale of smuggled alcoholic beverages in Ankara and Istanbul have been taken into custody, Anadolu reported.

Waves of mass poisonings due to consumption of adulterated alcohol have been recorded several times in Turkey in recent years: 84 people had died in 22 of the country’s 81 prefectures in December 2021, according to the same agency.

Shop owners blame the conservative government as indirectly responsible because of high taxes on alcoholic beverages that – they say – encourage smuggling. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been accused by opponents of seeking to Islamize Turkish society, has taken a public stand against the consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.