Death toll from tainted alcohol rises to 9 in Jordan

Authorities announced Monday that the number of deaths linked to methanol poisoning has risen to nine in Jordan, while 17 others remain under medical treatment.

Authorities confirmed that all cases are still receiving care and that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Yesterday, Jordan’s Public Security Directorate identified the source of the “toxic alcoholic substance” that led to the deaths of several people in Zarqa Governorate as a licensed alcohol factory, which has since been shut down and its operators arrested.

According to a statement from the PSD spokesperson, the investigation team tasked with probing the Zarqa methanol poisoning cases was able to trace the contaminated product to one of the licensed factories producing the drinks.

The PSD said that since receiving initial reports and collecting samples from the scene, investigators launched a sweep of stores in Zarqa.

Lab tests confirmed the presence of methanol (methyl alcohol) in several alcoholic products linked to the factory, which were sold under various brand names.

Authorities then raided the factory, collected samples from the facility, and discovered traces of methanol in one of the storage tanks used in production and bottling.

In coordination with the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, the factory has been closed and its contents seized. Authorities arrested those responsible for its operations, and legal proceedings are underway.

The spokesperson added that efforts are ongoing, also in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration, to trace and collect all products manufactured by the factory, whether sold directly to retailers or through distributors.