At least eight people died of poisoning after they had consumed apparently home-made alcohol in north-western Morocco, the national health authorities said on Wednesday.
Some 114 others were hospitalized in the town of the Sidi Allal El Tazi in the Kenitra province, the Health Ministry said.
The poisoning was caused by methanol, according to the Regional Directorate of Health and Social Protection.
Most of the victims consumed the alcohol at the weekend and started to show symptoms of poisoning on Monday, local residents said.
Other young victims apparently delayed going to hospital because they were members of conservative families who frown upon alcohol drinking.
A local factory is suspected to have been the source of the toxic substance, witnesses told dpa. Methanol is produced when alcohol is not distilled properly and can damage nerve cells and cause blindness and even death.
Moroccan media quoted other witnesses as claiming blindness cases among the victims believed to be aged 18 to 30 years.
There was no immediate confirmation from authorities.
The North African country has seen similar cases in recent years.
In September 2022, 19 people died of poisoning after consuming adulterated alcohol in the northern city of Ksar El Kebir.
