Eight people have died and dozens more have been hospitalized after consuming homemade liquor in the town of Sidi Allal Tazi, located about 100 kilometers north of Rabat, according to the Moroccan health ministry.

The regional health directorate reported that the fatalities resulted from “serious complications from poisoning,” linked to the ingestion of methanol, a toxic form of alcohol often used in bootleg liquor. The poisoning incident occurred between Monday and Wednesday, affecting more than 100 individuals in the town. Currently, the health of 81 people continues to be closely monitored.

Authorities have identified two suspects, aged 21 and 41, believed to be responsible for the distribution of the illicit alcohol. Both suspects are among those hospitalized due to poisoning.

Despite Moroccan law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to Muslims, who constitute 99 percent of the population, alcohol is still readily available. It can be found in bars, restaurants, and licensed stores, often sold discreetly behind opaque windows and thick curtains.

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