KUWAIT CITY, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait's Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday that 13 people have died from poisoning caused by locally produced alcohol.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the ministry said that since Saturday it had handled 63 cases of alcohol poisoning resulting from drinks contaminated with methanol.
The ministry explained that the cases varied in severity of symptoms, with several requiring admission to intensive care units. Thirty-one cases required the use of ventilators, while 51 cases required urgent kidney dialysis sessions. Twenty-one cases suffered permanent blindness or impaired vision. The infections have so far resulted in 13 deaths, the statement said. "All the poisoned individuals are of Asian nationalities."
The ministry added that it continues to monitor all cases around the clock and coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure necessary medical care, urging the public to immediately report any suspected poisoning cases to hospitals or designated hotlines.
A security source told Kuwait's Al-Rai newspaper that "a security team was formed to track the cases, and it was found that all victims had purchased locally produced alcoholic beverages from some Asian individuals in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area of Farwaniya Governorate."
According to the report, 10 people were arrested during raids on the suspected locations.
Alcohol is banned in Kuwait, and its law prohibits the import and supply of intoxicating substances. Anyone who imports or manufactures alcohol for commercial purposes is subject to imprisonment in the country.
