At least 48 dead in Nigeria after consuming drink suspected to contain methanol

At least 48 people have died and around 100 others are undergoing treatment in southern Nigeria after consuming a drink suspected to contain methanol, officials said Thursday.

A total of 182 people are believed to have been affected in Ondo state, with cases reported from the Odigbo and Irele local government areas, state Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka said.

“This thing happened rapidly. Once they consume, depending on the quantity, the kidneys will pack up, the eyes will go, the brain will be damaged,” Ajaka told The Associated Press.

Some of those who fell ill after consuming the liquid have since been discharged from hospitals, he said.

Ondo state police spokesman Abayomi Jimoh said 15 people had been arrested in connection with the incident.

One of those arrested had been producing a drink “suspected to contain methanol” and was assisting police with the investigation, Jimoh said.

Local media reports said the first death was reported nearly two weeks ago.

Authorities are investigating the suspected methanol contamination and the source of the drink.