18 dead from drinking bootleg alcohol in Russia

MOSCOW

At least 18 people died after consuming bootleg alcohol in western Russia, according to local authorities on Tuesday.

Within three days, at least 51 people were hospitalized with bootleg alcohol poisoning in the Ulyanovsk region, and 18 of them have died, stated the regional Health Ministry in a statement

"From June 4 to June 6, 51 cases of alcohol poisoning were detected in the region. Poisoning takes place in a severe form, (and) doctors are fighting for the life of each patient. In 18 cases, poisoning led to death," the ministry said.

The ministry further informed that several hospitals have prepared 88 beds, including 18 in intensive care, as health authorities anticipate that more people may require medical assistance.

On Monday, the Russian Investigative Committee announced the opening of a criminal case after 16 people died from poisoning in the Ulyanovsk region, two in the neighboring Samara region, and dozens more were hospitalized across the country.

According to investigators, the poisoning was caused by the consumption of a drink called Mister Sidr, produced in the Samara region.

Meanwhile, Anna Popova, the head of Russia's sanitary watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, directed authorities to find and seize all such products.

Police in Volga regions have been conducting searches for the product by inspecting locations where alcoholic beverages are stored and sold.