RAK

The number of people who have died from bootleg alcohol poisoning in Turkey's Aegean province of ?zmir has risen to eight.

The eight people who have died so far from counterfeit rak? in ?zmir were identified as Seçgin Dengiz, Ali Ulutürk, Alem Pena Çandar, Ömer Akgün Yüngeli?, Özkan Yaman, Köksal Çetin, Birol Bacakl? and Cesur Artan.

A husband and wife in the Aegean Turkish province of ?zmir suspected of selling bootleg alcohol that killed three people were arrested Nov. 26, while one survivor said he would continue to drink counterfeit products, since legal alcohol was too expensive. 

The death toll in Istanbul from consuming counterfeit alcohol has risen to 19 after six more people died in the hospital over the past two days.

The victims had all consumed rak?, a strong aniseed-flavored liquor, which health authorities believe had been infused with lethal quantities of methyl alcohol.

Counterfeit rak? consumption has killed 12 and poisoned dozens more, prompting police to launch operations in four Istanbul districts, detaining 15 suspected of producing bootleg alcohol. 

Seventeen people are also currently undergoing treatment in hospital, according to figures supplied by Health Minister Mehmet Müezzino?lu.

Leros is quiet and tranquil. The little seaside cafes are not crowded; there is a fresh breeze. It is nice to be away from Bodrum's maddening crowd and traffic, all so unbearable with late July's suffocating heat wave.

Turkey-based alcoholic beverage company Mey has in recent years been focusing on promotional campaigns to turn Turkish rak? into a global brand and it has already started to harvest the yields of this campaign in export figures, company CEO Galip Yorganc?o?lu has said.