Authorities in Ecuador have banned alcohol sales in an emergency measure to stop apparently contaminated drinks from reaching consumers after at least 21 people died.
Officials announced the 72-hour national dry law Sunday after alcohol poisoning cases were detected in several parts of the country.
Hospitals treated more than 100 people who fell ill after drinking bootleg liquor over the past week, the country's government said.
Investigators determined that the liquor contained methanol - an industrial-grade alcohol not intended for human consumption, Ecuador's Public Health Ministry said.
The 21 patients who died all haled from Los Rios province, but similar poisoning cases have also been reported in at least four other areas, the government said.
Authorities have arrested the liquor distributor and continue investigating, police said.
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That's some bad hooch.
What is a ban going to do when it was bootleg booze in the first place?
i'm gonna ban you illegal booze... lol...
Im with ruffnut what good will that do
I know that governments often do stupid things, but no government could be THIS stupid. With regulated, commercial alcohol gone, some people would naturally turn to bootleg stuff, which is exactly what you do NOT want to see. There must be more to this.
I live in ecuador and sadly there is not more to it than that. I agree they should not ban the sale of legitamate alcohol. What they should have done is made it alchohol awarness month to inform people of the dangers of home made liquor and the dangers of alcohol in general.
Quito, the capital, is one of the loudest cities in which I've ever tried to get a night's sleep in a hotel.
I wouldn't be surprised if all the inhabitants of Quito died from drinking top-shelf alcohol.
Sure, blame the booze..
Guess they like to party. But at a drink or die cost?
Some expensive hooch.
Ugh, I hate the alcohol vs marijuana debate. Listen in this case it was METHANOL that killed people, which is a POISON. Ethanol, the alcohol in beer and other fun beverages is safe to consume in limited quantaties. Marijuana, while you cant overdose on it can kill also kill you in the long run with lung cancer.
conclusion, both are bad. However, i like many others, will continue to use them.
I didn't see anybody bring up pot except you, Tristan. And I don't believe for one moment that you live in Ecuador. What good is an alcohol awareness month, when people buy illegal booze? It seems better regulation is the answer.
Gotta watch out for that rot gut. Looks like whoever worked at that distillery 4got their glasses(and their shoes) lol. And 21 didnt realize they were drinkin jet fuel. Must have been some really good cocaine. FIESTA