19 dead after consuming toxic alcohol in Morocco

19 dead after consuming toxic alcohol in Morocco
At least 19 people have died after consuming toxic alcohol in Morocco, as survivors are suffering from headaches, vomiting and stomach cramps.
2 min read
29 September, 2022
Victims suffered from headaches, vomiting and stomach cramps after consuming the alcohol [Getty]

At least 19 people have died and dozens of others were hospitalised after drinking toxic alcohol in Morocco, according to local media.

The alcohol was reportedly from a roadside kiosk in the north of the country, where around 30 people were taken to the hospital in critical condition following the incident and two still remain in intensive care.

Police have arrested a middle-aged store-owner in connection with the incident – AFP quoted the Directorate General of National Security as saying – as investigators found nearly 50 litres of the liquid in their store.

Victims suffered from headaches, vomiting and stomach cramps after consuming the alcohol, according to a nurse at a hospital in Ksar El Kebir.

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The sale of alcohol to Muslims is banned in Morocco, but it can be easily found in bars and stores that discretely offer it to willing customers.

Toxic alcohol has killed many civilians across the Middle East and North Africa.

Last May, 10 people were pronounced dead after consuming toxic spirits in Iran, where over 44 people died at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in the country after a rumour that drinking alcohol would help kill the virus.

In July 2021, at least 20 people also died after consuming toxic alcohol in Oujda, eastern Morocco.