Kuwait Toxic alcohol incident: 12 Nepalis dead, all patients to be deported after treatment

The number of Nepalis who have died in Kuwait after drinking toxic alcohol has reached 12. The Nepali Embassy in Kuwait confirmed the deaths on Sunday and said around 30 more Nepalis are receiving treatment in various hospitals.

Last week, more than 160 people fell sick after consuming illegal alcohol contaminated with a dangerous chemical called methanol. According to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, 23 migrant workers from different countries have died so far, and over 160 others have been affected.

Police raid illegal alcohol production, 67 arrested including Nepalis

Following the incident, Kuwaiti authorities launched a large-scale security operation targeting methanol production and illegal alcohol sales. The Interior Ministry reported that 67 people involved in producing and selling illegal alcohol were arrested, including Nepalis.

During the investigation, security forces arrested one Nepali in the Salmiya area with methanol. Based on his statement, other Nepalis were also arrested. Additionally, Indian and Bangladeshi nationals were among those detained. Kuwaiti media reported that the main suspects could face murder charges.

Security forces also seized six illegal alcohol factories operating in residential and industrial areas. The operation targeted illegal residency and unlicensed alcohol production across the country. A total of 258 people were arrested in six governorates for violations including expired residency permits, visa overstays, and other legal offenses.

The campaign was conducted under the direction of First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah and supervised by Brigadier General Fawaz Al-Roumi, head of the Citizenship and Residency sector, according to Kuwait Times.

All patients will be deported after treatment

Kuwaiti authorities have stated that all migrant workers hospitalized after consuming toxic alcohol will be treated and then deported. Media reports say that after discharge, these individuals will be detained and barred from re-entering Kuwait.

Alcohol production, consumption, and sale are banned in Kuwait. Anyone caught drinking alcohol faces deportation.

Concerns in the Nepali community

Currently, about 160,000 Nepalis work in Kuwait. This incident has affected the reputation of the Nepali community. Recent involvement of some Nepalis in illegal activities like drug trafficking and illegal alcohol production has created a negative perception of Nepali workers in Kuwait.

The Nepali Embassy and the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) in Kuwait have warned Nepalis not to engage in illegal alcohol consumption, production, or sale. The embassy also stated that over 50% of Nepalis in Kuwaiti prisons are involved in alcohol- or drug-related cases.

Note: There was error in previous reporting the number of deaths were mistaken.