Morocco has reported eight deaths and 114 cases of poisoning due to methanol-tainted alcoholic beverages, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday. The affected individuals consumed the toxic drinks in the town of Sidi Allal Tazi, north of Rabat.
The ministry’s statement confirmed that all fatalities occurred at a hospital between Tuesday and Wednesday, while authorities are investigating the incident.
According to the Moroccan Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Center in Rabat, laboratory tests confirmed methanol poisoning in 114 individuals from Sidi Allal Tazi.
Local news site Hespress reported that 15 people have died from the incident, with 8 deaths occurring in the hospital and 7 outside. There are concerns that the death toll may rise as new cases continue to arrive at the hospital.
The Ministry of Health’s statement noted that methanol consumption led to severe poisoning complications, resulting in the deaths of 8 individuals. Seven of these deaths were recorded at the Idrissi Regional Hospital Center in Kenitra, and one death at the Zoubeir Skhir Hospital in Souk El Arbaa El Gharb.
