EL SALVADOR: DEATH TOLL FROM BIZARRE ALCOHOL-POISONING OUTBREAK REACHES OVER ONE HUNDRED

Record ID: 648872

  • Title: EL SALVADOR: DEATH TOLL FROM BIZARRE ALCOHOL-POISONING OUTBREAK REACHES OVER ONE HUNDRED
  • Date: 12th October 2000
  • Summary: ILOBASCO, EL SALVADOR (OCTOBER 11, 2000) (REUTERS) 1. MV FUNERAL PROCESSION; SCU FAMILY MEMBERS CRYING (4 SHOTS) 0.32 2. SLV COFFIN LOWERED INTO GRAVE 0.42 SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR (OCTOBER 10, 2000) (REUTERS) 3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SALVADOREAN PRESIDENT FRANCISCO FLORES "The main problem is the high level of alcoholism in this country. I was asked if I thought a dry law would fix this problem and my answer is no. The person who has a high risk of alcoholism will search for alcohol, with or without a dry law." 1.13 ILOBASCO, EL SALVADOR (OCTOBER 11, 2000) (REUTERS) 4. SCU POISONING VICTIM IN HOSPITAL (3 SHOTS) 1.30 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) POISONING VICTIM, PABLO HERNANDEZ: "I didn't feel anything when I woke up, but then my vision turned foggy and it wouldn't clear up so I came to the hospital." 1.55 6. SLV NEWS CONFERENCE 2.01 7. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) GENERAL PROSECUTOR OF EL SALVADOR, BELISARIO ARTIGA SAYING "This product, methanol, is a product that is not made here in El Salvador, it is made outside the country. It is a product that is used for many things, but it is commonly known as industrial alcohol." 2.22 8. MV/SCU POLICE TESTING LIQUOR BOTTLES (2 SHOTS) 2.36 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 27th October 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ILOBASCO AND SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR
  • Country: El Salvador
  • Reuters ID: LVA3W1C9Q7HE8ACF52FDSCGFHZTS
  • Story Text: The death toll in El Salvador from a bizarre
    alcohol-poisoning outbreak has reached over 100 , prompting
    the government to take steps to suspend the sale of alcohol in
    affected areas, authorities said.

    Traces of methanol, a poisonous industrial alcohol that
    is often mixed with gasoline as a burning agent, have been
    found in some of the victims' bodies. The illnesses were first
    reported last Tuesday (October 02).

    I didn't feel anything when I woke up, but then by
    vision turned foggy and it wouldn't clear up so I came to the
    hospital," said Pablo Hernandez.

    Local newspapers reported 122 people had died in the
    epidemic in five regions in the centre and north of the
    Central American nation.

    Some Salvadoreans drink alcohol sold for medical purposes
    by pharmacies to get drunk because it is cheaper than normal
    alcohol. Many clandestine alcohol vendors and liquor stores in
    the country also sell adulterated, or homemade alcohol.

    President Francisco Flores told a news conference he
    ordered the Interior Ministry to ensure that mayors in
    affected areas close all shops selling alcohol, seize any
    adulterated alcohol and offer legal help to victims' families.

    His government also backed a bill in Congress put forward
    by the environmental commission proposing that bars and stores
    selling liquor be closed in affected areas for 10 days, Flores
    added.

    Flores said he would not have a permanent ban on alcohol,
    but that the root problem of alcoholism had to be addressed.

    "The person who has a high risk of alcoholism will search
    for alcohol, with or without a dry law," he said.

    An alcohol ban has already been imposed in the central
    city of San Vicente, 38 miles (60 km) east of the capital, San
    Salvador, according to government officials.

    Authorities in the city had raided 49 bars, liquor stores,
    clandestine alcohol vendors and pharmacies selling medicinal
    alcohol, he added.

    Authorities said 95 of the dead were from villages and
    towns in the central districts of San Vicente, Cabanas, La Paz
    and Cuscatlan, but the source of the tainted alcohol had not
    been discovered.

    The El Salvador Association of Liquor Distillers has
    denied responsibility for the deaths.


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