At least 29 people have lost their lives and 61 others have fallen ill after consuming contaminated cider in the western Russian region of Ulyanovsk, according to authorities. The death toll has risen from the initial count of 16, with several dozen individuals previously reported as injured. The health ministry has labeled this incident as one of the most severe cases of its kind in the country. The beverage responsible, marketed as “Mr. Cider,” has prompted the ministry to issue a warning, urging residents to report any information related to its sale.
The victims were admitted to various medical facilities across the region following Governor Alexei Russkikh’s announcement on Telegram that they had fallen ill after consuming “Mister Cider” produced in the Samara region. In response, law enforcement officers are confiscating these products, while Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the matter. Russian media outlets have reported that the contaminated alcohol contained highly toxic methanol, contributing to the severity of the situation.
Similar incidents involving dangerous alcohol substitutes have plagued Russia, particularly in rural areas with low living standards. In 2021 alone, two separate incidents claimed the lives of at least 34 people due to the consumption of bootleg liquor containing methanol. Previous cases include a tragic event in 2016, where over 60 individuals died in Irkutsk, Siberia, after ingesting bath essence laced with methanol, commonly used as antifreeze. In another incident, tainted liquor sold without authorization resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals, with 20 others hospitalized in serious condition in India last December.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
