23 lives lost as Kuwait reels from methanol poisoning tragedy;160 cases recorded so far
Kuwait is mourning a devastating public health tragedy following a sharp rise in methanol-contaminated alcoholic beverage poisoning cases, which have now reached 160.
The tragedy, which is believed to be the one of its kind has so far claimed 23 lives, with all fatalities reported among Asian nationals. The wave of poisonings has shocked the nation and sparked urgent calls for vigilance.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that most of the affected persons are in intensive care units, with many requiring mechanical ventilation and emergency kidney dialysis due to severe organ damage caused by methanol toxicity.
The health officials have described the situation as critical, emphasizing that the consumption of such unsafe and illegal substances poses a grave risk to life.
In an official statement, the Ministry strongly warned the public against engaging in such dangerous behavior and urged residents to prioritize the preservation of life. “We call on everyone to avoid any form of unsafe ‘alcohol’ consumption and to take all necessary precautions,” the statement read.
The authorities have assured that continuous medical and security follow-up operations are being conducted around the clock to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The public has also been urged to immediately report any suspected cases of poisoning via the emergency hotlines and other approved communication channels to enable swift medical intervention.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the lethal consequences of consuming unregulated, contaminated beverages, and underscores the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and community cooperation to safeguard public health.
In itself alcohol consumption is banned in Kuwait by law and those arrested face stiff penalties and in some cases even deportation. In spite of the strictly applied law, many people violate this law.
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