The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture has reported that as many as 11 people have died in Turkey over the last 3 weeks from methanol poisoning caused by drinking bootleg alcohol - mostly in the form of rakı, the popular aniseed flavoured drink.

Seven of the people who died came from the Bursa area, and three were tourists in Kemer, which is less than 3 hours drive from Kalkan.

The ministry is introducing additional spot checks to try to identify dangerous illicit supplies, however it has urged consumers to take extra care.  If you are buying or consuming alcohol, especially rakı, make sure it is from a reputable supplier or trusted source.

This is not the first time this has happened in Turkey.  Less than five years ago 20 people died in a similar incident.

Update: Restaurants in Kalkan have been visited by officials checking for illicit alcohol, which is reassuring.  Kalkan has not been singled out - checks are taking place up and down the coast.