71 ΝΕΚΡΟΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΣΙΒΗΡΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΚΡΥΟ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΚΑΥΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΕΘΑΝΟΛΗΣ

The death toll in Siberia has risen to 71 after more than 100 people bath oil laced with methylated spirits. In total, 117 people were poisoned, of which up to 71 now have died, Irkutsk Regional Health Department spokeswoman Tatiana Lebedeva told Interfax news agency. She said 40 fatalities of poisoning died in medical centres, while the remaining 31 died in their homes. The first cases of poisoning occurred last Saturday. Two days later, the death toll rose to more than 40, which pushed the mayor of Irkutsk, Dmitri Berdnikov, to declare the state of emergency in the city. He also announced a provisional ban on the sale of all kinds of liquids containing alcohol if they are not certified alcoholic beverages. Additionally, the Russian investigation committee ordered the seizure of the product, which on its label clearly indicates that it is only for external use. As part of the investigation, 12 people have been arrested for their alleged role in the mass poisoning. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered stricter governmental measures to crack down on sales of surrogate alcohol. He also wants new rules for compulsory labelling, plus tougher penalties for bootleggers. According to local press due to the economic recession, Russians on low incomes cannot afford to buy legitimate liquor and instead drink alcohol-based products, such as fragrances and lotions. This has increased the number of fatal poisonings, especially during winter, when alcohol consumption usually increases.