KATHMANDU, Aug 15: At least 16 Nepali nationals have lost their lives in Kuwait after consuming toxic alcohol.
The deceased Nepali nationals are among 23 migrant workers who lost their life as a result of consuming alcohol mixed with highly inflammable methanol, according to Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Kuwait chapter. The deaths occurred over the past three days.
According to the Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait, more than 30 Nepalis are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals in Kuwait after falling ill after consuming toxic alcohol. Several of the patients are reported to be in critical condition.
Nine Nepali nationals dead after toxic alcohol consumption in K...
FNJ, Kuwait Chapter President Ekraj Malla in a statement said migrant workers from various Asian countries including Nepali nationals are found engaged in alcohol consumption despite the fact that it is completely prohibited. The FNJ Chapter has also urged Nepali nationals not to be involved in production, transport or consumption of alcohol.
Around 160 migrant workers have sought medical care in different hospitals in Kuwait since Saturday, with the majority being citizens of South Asian countries.
A statement from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health had earlier reported a total of 23 deaths linked to toxic alcohol consumption, including the nine Nepali nationals. Among those receiving treatment, 31 patients are on ventilator support, 21 have lost their eyesight, and 51 have undergone emergency dialysis.
Some of the Nepali patients are in serious condition and are being treated in the ICU, said the embassy. The death toll is likely to go up further as several are in critical conditions.
The sale and consumption of alcohol are prohibited in Kuwait, but criminal groups reportedly produce and sell illicit alcoholic beverages. Currently, approximately 160,000 Nepalis are working in Kuwait.
