Turkey Says 11 Die From Alcohol Poisoning

Three German students holidaying in the southeastern Mediterranean resort of Kemer are among the dead, media reports said.

Eleven people have died in Turkey in the last three weeks from poisoning caused by bootleg alcohol, the Agriculture Ministry said on Saturday.

Three German students holidaying in the southeastern Mediterranean resort of Kemer are among the dead, media reports said.

The ministry said in a statement that the 11 had died as a result of methyl alcohol poisoning and that it was stepping up inspections to prevent further cases.

It called on consumers to be careful when purchasing alcohol to make sure that it is genuine.

Among the dead were seven people who died in the northwestern province of Bursa. Most of the deaths were caused by fake raki, Turkey's popular aniseed spirit.