At least 10 Nepali nationals have died in Kuwait from alcohol poisoning caused by methanol-tainted drinks, officials at Nepali Embassy in Kuwait said. Another 30 to 35 Nepalis who are believed to have consumed the toxic alcohol are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals across Kuwait.

According to Kuwait’s Ministry of Health, 160 people have been affected by the consumption of alcohol laced with methanol. In a statement released on Friday, the ministry said the death toll has reached 23, with most victims being of Asian origin.

In a statement on Friday, the Nepali embassy in Kuwait said 35 Nepali nationals have been hospitalised over the past few days after consuming the toxic alcohol. Among them, some have died, and some are undergoing treatment in serious conditions, the statement said.

“As soon as we learnt about the tragic incident, the ambassador and other embassy staff immediately visited the hospitals and took an update on the conditions of the Nepalis. The embassy has been coordinating with Kuwaiti health ministry officials and hospital authorities to ensure proper treatment for the Nepali nationals,” said the embassy while offering condolences to the families of those who died.

The embassy has also urged Kuwait-based Nepalis to refrain from banned substances and urged them to contact the WhatsApp number +96561008956 for any help or information.

The Kuwait branch of the Federation of Nepali Journalists has reported a higher death toll, saying 16 Nepali nationals have died after consuming toxic alcohol.

“Since last week, 23 migrant workers have tragically died in various parts of Kuwait after consuming alcohol adulterated with methanol (CH₃OH), a highly flammable substance,” said a statement signed by Ekraj Malla, the chairman of the FNJ, Kuwait. “More than 160 people are currently being treated in intensive care units at local hospitals. It has been confirmed that 16 of the deceased are Nepali migrant workers,” the FNJ, Kuwait claimed in the statement.

Nepali Ambassador to Kuwait Ghanashyam Lamsal contested the figure provided by FNJ’s Kuwait branch and said that the embassy has information about only 10 Nepali deaths.

“The Federation of Nepali Journalists, Foreign Branch Kuwait, expresses heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their lives, including the Nepali workers, and wishes a speedy recovery to those who are injured and undergoing treatment,” the FNJ statement added.

The statement added that production, transport, and distribution of alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited in Kuwait, a popular labour destination for foreign workers. “Despite the ban, it has been found that citizens—mainly from Asian countries including Nepal—have been involved in these illegal activities, leading to significant human casualties.”

The sale and consumption of alcohol are prohibited in Kuwait under Islamic law, but illicit trade persists, particularly in areas with large expatriate populations. The statement also urged all Nepali workers in Kuwait to refrain from consuming, trading, or transporting alcohol, drugs, or any other illegal substances banned under local laws.

Embassy officials said they came to know that since August 8, some people of Asian origin including Nepalis had consumed toxic alcohol and they learnt about the incident only on Wednesday [August 13]. “On Thursday we came to know that some Nepalis had died or were hospitalised…some of them in intensive care units, on ventilators, and even undergoing dialysis.”

News agencies like Reuters and AFP reported that 63 people, all from Asian nationalities, have been hospitalised since last Saturday with symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Of these, 51 required immediate kidney dialysis, and 31 needed mechanical ventilation to support breathing.

The Kuwaiti English-language newspaper Arab Times, quoting the Ministry of Health, said 160 cases of alcohol poisoning were being treated in various Kuwait hospitals since Saturday.

Nepali officials stated that they visited hospitals to inquire about the condition of the Nepalis, but local authorities did not allow them to meet the patients. They had also visited a few hospitals on Friday.

“Nine Nepalis are reported to have died within three days, according to our preliminary information. We have to wait for the medical reports to confirm the exact cause,” said an official at the Nepali Embassy in Kuwait. “As several Nepalis are also undergoing treatment in various hospitals due to toxic alcohol consumption, there is a suspicion that this may be the cause of death.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed the Nepali Embassy in Kuwait to find out the exact status of hospitalised Nepali nationals and ensure their treatment in coordination with the Kuwaiti authorities.