Authorities say at least 12 people have died on the Indonesian island of Java after drinking adulterated liquor. Three more residents of Subang district, where the Oplosan drink was sold, fell seriously ill, police said on Tuesday. A couple was arrested. The alcohol is said to have been mixed with, among other things, rat poison made from copper phosphide that is for sale in the district near the capital Jakarta.
The couple admitted to overdosing on the mixture, local police chief Ariek Indra Sentanu said. It was initially unclear why the two mixed the rat poison and a lead-containing substance with the alcohol.
Oplosan is a cheap and popular alcoholic drink in Indonesia, where many people cannot afford licensed drinks. However, it can be dangerous or even fatal if it contains toxic substances such as methanol, formalin or pesticides.
Hundreds of deaths occur every year due to adulterated alcohol
According to the World Health Organization, hundreds of people in Indonesia die every year from alcohol poisoning caused by consuming contaminated alcohol. In April 2018, about 100 people died in Jakarta and surrounding cities after drinking imitation products from expensive brands.
Source: Krone
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