Kannur: A total of 13 expatriates from Asian countries have died after consuming toxic alcohol in Kuwait. Sachin (31), a native of Irinavu in Kannur, is among the Indians killed in the tragedy. Though there are reports of the deaths of 10 Indians, including 5 Keralites, neither the Kuwaiti authorities nor the Indian Embassy has officially confirmed this.

Sachin had been working in Kuwait for the past three years. His relatives confirmed that his mortal remains are expected to reach Kozhikode International Airport on Friday. Sachin, the son of Mohanan and Girija, is survived by his wife Shibina and daughter Ziya.

The Ministry of Health in Kuwait confirmed that 63 cases of alcohol poisoning, resulting from beverages contaminated with methanol, have been reported in the country since Saturday. According to the ministry’s official statement, 51 people who consumed the liquor required urgent dialysis, 21 lost their vision, and 31 were placed on artificial respiratory support. Several remain in critical condition.

The Arab Times reported that a special task force traced the affected individuals to purchases of locally manufactured alcohol in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area. Kuwait police have taken around 10 suspects involved in the sale of the contaminated liquor into custody.

Kuwait bans the import and domestic production of alcoholic beverages, but some are manufactured illegally in secret locations without any oversight or safety standards, exposing consumers to the risk of poisoning.

The Embassy of India in Kuwait, which serves the country’s largest expatriate community, said around 40 Indian nationals have been hospitalised in recent days, without specifying the cause.

The Indian Embassy has set up a helpline (+965-65501587, WhatsApp and regular calls) for family members to seek information about those affected by the liquor tragedy.