The 2012 Czech Republic methanol poisonings occurred in September 2012 in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.[1] Over the course of several days, 38 people in the Czech Republic[2] and four people in Poland died as a result of methanol poisoning and many others were hospitalised.[3][4] The poisonings continued for several years after the main wave. As of April 2014 51 had died and many others suffered permanent health damage.[5]
The Czech government established a central emergency response council and banned the sale of liquors with more than 30% alcohol by volume at food stands on 12 September 2012.[6] On 14 September, the ban was extended to any sale of any alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content above 20% vol.[7] On 20 September, export of such products was banned as well.[8] The restrictions on liquor sales were lifted seven days later.[9]
The police systematically checked shops where liquors were sold. Led by police vice president Václav Kučera, a special police team called Metyl coordinated the investigations.[10] On 24 September, the police announced that the source of the methanol-contaminated alcohol had been identified. Two main suspects were arrested: Rudolf Fian, a businessman from Karviná of Slovak nationality, and Tomáš Křepela, a Czech company owner from Řitka. On 21 May 2014, the two were sentenced to life imprisonment; eight others were also imprisoned for between 8 and 21 years.[11][12]
Since May 2018, methanol has been banned in the European Union for use in windscreen washing or defrosting due to the risk of human consumption.[13][14]