Twenty-seven people have died in Iran from alcohol poisoning, and a further 15 are in a critical condition, local media reported on Sunday.
The national emergency services said they have taken 290 people to hospital in four Iranian provinces in recent days after they consumed tainted alcohol.
“Some 250 patients are still being treated,’’ a spokesman for the emergency services was cited by ISNA news agency as saying.
“It was still not clear how it came to the alcohol poisoning, ISNA reported.
The sale and consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in the Islamic Republic for religious reasons; people who drink alcohol face fines, and in the case of repeated offences, lashes from the whip.
In spite of the strict alcohol ban, a study from February showed that the country has 5 million alcoholics.
There is a large choice of alcohol available on the Iranian black market at very high prices.
It is cheaper to buy home-made spirits or wine from private individuals.
Media report says some of the home-made drinks are tainted and can lead to serious poisoning. (dpa/NAN)
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