The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning to Brits planning to travel to a popular holiday destination after a spate of serious illnesses and fatalities
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has fired off a worrying warning after a surge of grave illnesses and deaths have been connected to fake booze in a top holiday destination. British officials have clocked several deadly incidents and severe health scares throughout Turkey, with major spots like Ankara and Istanbul seeing locals fall foul of dodgy homemade tipples.
The latest travel guidance, released on Friday, cautions: “There has been an increase in the number of deaths and serious illnesses in Turkey, including in Ankara and Istanbul, caused by drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.”
Holidaymakers already in Turkey or those plotting a jaunt there have been told to take measures to keep themselves out of harm’s way, like sticking to drinks from licensed establishments, double-checking that bottles are sealed up tight, refusing drinks with spelling mistakes, and giving homemade hooch a wide berth. If you or your friends feel unwell after a few drinks, flag down urgent medical assistance, the Mirror reports.
The FCDO also reminds those travelling to Turkey on a British passport that their passport needs to be valid for a minimum of 150 days post-arrival, with at least one entirely empty page.
The guidance also states: “If entering at a land border, make sure officials stamp and date your passport at the border crossing. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements.
“Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.”