Oplosan Alcohol Kills 50 People in Libya

                            

At least 51 people have died after drinking alcohol oplosan in Tripoli, Libya. State health officials said about 370 people were taken to a hospital in Tripoli since Saturday and the death is not likely to increase.

A hospital official told the BBC that the victim died methanol poisoning and many patients have to undergo dialysis.

Consuming and selling alcohol is illegal in Libya but available on the black market.

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Libya's health officials said 38 people died in hospitals of Tripoli and 13 others died on the way to neighboring Tunisia for treatment.

emergency status has been implemented in all hospitals the Libyan capital.

Alcohol is suspected to be the cause of the deaths is known locally oplosan Bokha. Bokha made of various kinds of fruit like dates or grapes.

However, liquid chemicals such as methanol are often added to increase the strength of the drink, says the BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli.

Risk health effects of methanol include kidney failure, blindness, seizures and death.

Minister Hussein al-Amry told the BBC that particular unit had surrounded the location where the manufacture of alcohol oplosan it.

He said the ministry would use force if the property owner refused to vacate the place.

Alcohol is also smuggled into Libya from Tunisia, Algeria and Malta.