At least 13 people have died and 50 others required medical treatment after being poisoned by methanol-tainted alcoholic drinks in Kuwait, the country's health ministry said on Wednesday.

51 of the victims required urgent kidney dialysis, 31 patients received artificial ventilation, and 21 victims suffered permanent blindness or visual impairment as a result, according to the Kuwait Ministry of Health.

All of the victims were Asian nationals, officials said.

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The incident is under investigation.

The Middle Eastern country banned alcohol consumption in the 60s before later criminalizing it, resulting in the illegal production of beverages in an unregulated environm

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