Abuja, Sept 18:
At least 48 people have died in Nigeria’s Ondo State after consuming a liquid drink suspected to contain methanol, according to health authorities.
Ondo State Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka said 182 people were believed to have been affected in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas. Several people who fell ill after consuming the drink have since been discharged from hospitals.
Ajaka said the substance could cause severe and potentially fatal damage to vital organs, depending on the quantity consumed. Methanol poisoning can affect the kidneys, eyes and brain and can lead to death.
The incident has triggered a police investigation. Ondo State police spokesman Abayomi Jimoh said 15 people had been arrested in connection with the case.
According to the police, one of those arrested had been producing the drink suspected of containing methanol and was assisting investigators with the probe.
Local media reports said the first death in the incident was reported nearly two weeks ago. Authorities are now investigating how the suspected methanol-contaminated drink was produced and distributed.
Health officials have been monitoring those affected and have urged people to avoid consuming unidentified or illegally produced alcoholic or other beverages.