Poland on alert after 19 die from methanol poisoning in Czech Republic

Photo: EPA/PAP (Stringer)

Some 19 fatalities have already been confirmed in the Czech Republic, and over 50 people have been hospitalised, with the vast majority of the poisonings taking place in northern Moravia, near the Polish border.

The illegal use of methanol has been detected in a variety of alcoholic drinks, ranging from rum to vodka.

“On the one hand, we want to warn buyers not to buy alcohol from unknown sources, and meanwhile we have passed on information to customs officials around the country so as to monitor the situation,” said spokeswoman for the Customs Chamber in Katowice Aldona Wegrzynowic, in an interview with Polish Radio.

The Czech government has already introduced partial prohibition, forbidding the sale of liquor of 30 percent alchohol in kiosks, stalls and small shops.

Several liquor companies have claimed that their labels have been forged by amateurs.

Czech police are currently carrying out inspections. Several thousand labels together with 500 bottles ready for distribution have been seized from a garage in the Moravian city of Zlin. Tests are being made so as to determine whether the liquor is contaminated.

Meanwhile, Czech health authorities have been compelled to turn to Norway, as the highly expensive Norwegian medication Fomezipol is the most effective antidote to the methanol poisioning. (nh/pg)