The number of victims of poisoning after drinking adulterated cider in Russia rose to 29 dead and 61 injured on Tuesday, one of the deadliest episodes of this type in this country, where these tragedies are not uncommon.
Russian authorities reported on Monday at least 16 dead and dozens injured.
“The total number of victims of surrogate alcohol poisoning in Russian regions amounts to 90 people”, of whom 29 died, the Ministry of Health said, quoted by Russian news agencies.
According to him, four people are in “extremely serious condition” and 30 in “serious condition”.
According to Russian media, the victims consumed an alcohol called “Mister Cidre” which contained methanol, a highly toxic product. This drink was marketed in some stores selling alcohol.
The Russian authorities have opened an investigation and ordered the seizure of the contaminated batches, produced in the city of Samara on the Volga.
Deaths due to adulterated alcohol are not uncommon in Russia, where the price of drinks sold in large stores can be prohibitive for millions of poor Russians, especially in provinces where the standard of living is very low.
As of October 2021, 35 people had died after being poisoned by alcohol in two different incidents in Russia.
In 2016, more than 60 people were killed in Irkutsk in Siberia after ingesting a bath oil imitating a known brand of hawthorn essence and where ethanol had been replaced by methanol.