Alcohol poisoning kills 17 in Iran, many left blind

The number of people killed by alcohol poisoning in the Iranian city of Karaj has reached 17, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported on Friday.

Hossein Fazli Harikandi, Chief Justice of Alborz province, said 191 people had been hospitalised due to drinking illicitly produced alcoholic beverages containing methanol, an industrial alcohol used in the production of solvents and pesticides.

Harikandi said most of those hospitalised had been discharged, however many had to undergo dialysis and some were left blind by the poisoning.

Iranian authorities have identified three retailers and arrested nine people so far in connection with the supply and distribution of the beverages, Harikandi said.

Three of the suspects reportedly admitted to purchasing the alcohol from two suppliers of medical equipment.

Early on Friday, provincial police raided a factory claiming to sell cosmetics products, seizing 6,400 litres of alcohol that had been prepared for distribution.

Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is illegal in Iran and is punishable by prison, lashing or fines.