6 dead, 30 hospitalized after drinking adulterated alcohol in Tunisia

Six people died, and around thirty others have been hospitalized in Tunisia since Sunday after consuming adulterated artisanal alcohol.

Alcohol has been consumed in several cities in the province of Kairouan. The first cases were revealed on Sunday, the day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The state news agency TAP reports that a man and a woman were arrested in the town of Hajeb Al Ayoun on suspicion of selling the contaminated beverage.

The police seized some 87 liters. The toxic levels of methanol that are sometimes found in homemade alcohol can be fatal or cause visual impairment.

There have been several cases of methanol poisoning in Tunisia over the years. Consumption of illegally sold beer is typical because it is cheaper and more accessible to the majority, especially in the poorest regions.

The country has eased the containment measures taken due to the coronavirus.

Still, certain restrictions remain: massive public demonstrations are prohibited, authorization is required to travel between regions and shopping centers, bars and restaurants remain closed.