Foreign office warns travellers heading to Turkey to avoid popular activity
Share:
The Foreign Office has issued updated guidance for travellers heading to Turkey to avoid a popular activity. Under the 'Safety and Security' page for Turkey travel advice, the Foreign Office has updated it's advice on counterfeit alcohol. The Foreign Office website states: "People have died or suffered serious illness in Istanbul, Turkey after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.
"To protect yourself: buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores, buy drinks only at licensed bars and hotels, avoid home-made alcoholic drinks, check bottle seals are intact, check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling. "If you have any concerns, ask for advice from your tour operator or the Turkish authorities. Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with falls ill after drinking alcohol.".
The warning follows an incident earlier this month where European breaks across Istanbul left 17 people dead and dozens in hospital. Thousands of litres of alcohol were seized from supermarket shelves in the Turkish city, which had recently topped the list for sexual assault, in 2024.
A further 22 people also presented symptoms of counterfeit alcohol poisoning and were being treated in hospital. Data from the Turkey’s Trade Ministry showed in March that 7,386 litres of counterfeit alcohol were seized in the country last year, reports The Metro.
Also on the advice page, the Foreign Office says: "Be wary of strangers approaching you to change money, or to take you to a restaurant or nightclub. If strangers offer you food and drink these could be spiked. Buy your own drinks and always keep sight of them.".
