"48 Dead in Nigeria After Drinking Suspected Methanol-Laced Alcohol"

At least 48 people have died and around 100 others are receiving treatment over the past two weeks in southern Nigeria's Ondo State after drinking locally brewed alcohol suspected of containing methanol, the Associated Press reported on the 17th (local time).

Local residents told the AP that they suspect methanol was mixed into a local herbal liquor called "Monkey Tail."

Monkey Tail is known to be made by mixing plant roots or cannabis into ogogoro, a potent liquor brewed from fermented raffia palm sap.

Regarding the incident, a patient receiving treatment at a hospital told local broadcasting, "I drank two glasses on the 11th, and the next day I couldn't see."

Bamidele Ajaka, the health commissioner for Ondo State, said regarding the alcohol, "Once consumed, depending on the amount, it can cause the kidneys to stop functioning, lead to blindness, and damage the brain."

Ondo State police stated that 15 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.