At least 19 people have died in Russia's Leningrad region this month due to suspected alcohol poisoning, with eight cases confirmed as methanol poisoning. Investigators have detained two individuals in connection with the counterfeit alcohol sales. This incident highlights Russia's ongoing struggle with alcoholism and the prevalence of dangerous homemade alcohol substitutes, particularly in rural areas. Similar incidents of mass deaths from tainted alcohol have also occurred recently in India and Turkey.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.