KUWAIT CITY — Thirteen Asian nationals have died in Kuwait since Saturday from alcohol poisoning caused by methanol-tainted drinks, the Ministry of Health announced Wednesday.

The ministry said hospitals treated 63 people for alcohol poisoning over the same period, including 31 patients who required artificial respiration, 51 who underwent urgent dialysis, and 21 who suffered permanent blindness or severe visual impairment.

Methanol is a highly toxic industrial alcohol used in chemical manufacturing and paints. The ministry warned that even small amounts can cause blindness or death and urged the public never to consume it.

Alcohol imports have been banned in Kuwait since 1964, and consumption was criminalized in the 1980s. Authorities say this has led to a black market in illegal alcoholic beverages, which are often contaminated or produced in unsafe conditions.

Officials urged residents to report suspected alcohol poisoning cases through hospitals or approved hotlines and confirmed that investigations are underway to identify the source of the contaminated drinks. Security agencies continue to monitor unlicensed distribution outlets. — Agencies