Thirteen Asian people have died in Kuwait since Saturday from alcohol poisoning caused by methanol-tainted drinks, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has announced.

In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry also said that hospitals had treated 63 people for alcohol poisoning during the same period.

Of those affected, 31 patients required artificial respiration, 51 received urgent dialysis sessions and 21 cases suffered permanent blindness or severe visual impairment, it added.

The health ministry warns that methanol, a highly toxic industrial alcohol used in chemical industries and paints, is dangerous and should not be consumed under any circumstances, as small amounts can lead to blindness or death.

Alcohol imports have been banned in Kuwait since 1964 and its consumption was criminalised in the 1980s, leading some people to trade in illegal alcoholic beverages, often contaminated or prepared in unsafe conditions.

Authorities in Kuwait urged people to report any suspected case of alcohol poisoning through hospitals or approved hotlines, stressing that it is following up on all cases.

South Asian migrant workers make up a large proportion of Kuwait's population, most of whom work in the construction, domestic services and retail sectors, and are often most at risk of exposure to illegal or poor-quality products.

Investigations are ongoing to identify the source of the contaminated drinks, while security agencies continue to monitor unauthorised distribution outlets.