Kathmandu, Aug 14: Nine Nepalis have died in Kuwait over the past three days after consuming toxic alcohol. Several others are still undergoing treatment, while some have been discharged, according to information provided by local hospitals to the Nepali Embassy in Kuwait.

Giriprasad Acharya, Labour Counsellor at the Embassy, said that details of the deceased are being collected. He said the exact cause of death cannot be confirmed until medical reports are available.

“In three days, nine Nepalis have died. Until the medical reports arrive, it cannot be said with certainty if it was due to toxic alcohol or another cause,” Acharya said.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has reported a rise in hospital admissions linked to methanol-laced liquor. According to official figures, 23 people from various Asian countries, including the nine Nepalis, have died. More than 160 people are currently receiving treatment.

Patients are being treated at Adan, Farwaniya, and Mubarak Al-Kabeer hospitals. Although alcohol is completely banned in Kuwait, illegal production and sale are still taking place in secret. Authorities are investigating the source of the toxic liquor.

The ministry said some patients have suffered kidney failure and are undergoing dialysis, while others have partial or complete loss of vision. Most of those who died or became seriously ill were construction workers.

Preliminary investigations indicate that methanol was used in the liquor. Methanol is a toxic chemical typically used in industries to produce antifreeze, solvents, and fuel. Unlike ethanol, which is found in normal alcoholic beverages and is safe for human consumption in small amounts, methanol is not meant for food or drink.

Consuming methanol-contaminated beverages can cause headaches, vomiting, blurred vision, coma, and even death.

People’s News Monitoring Service