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Methanol Poisoning In Vietnam Left British Young Man Blind. Case Exposes Risks Of Consuming Contaminated Alcohol In Asia.
A case of methanol poisoning, which occurred in November 2023, left 23-year-old British man Calum Macdonald blind after consuming alcoholic beverages at a tourist hostel in Vietnam.
The incident, registered in Vang Vieng, a popular destination in Southeast Asia, exposes the risks of consuming contaminated alcohol in the region.
Calum reported that just before crossing the Vietnamese border, he began to see only a “blinding and kaleidoscopic light.”
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Initially, he thought it was a temporary reaction, but soon realized something was wrong. Days later, the confirmation: he had been a victim of severe methanol poisoning.
What Happened In Vang Vieng
The mass poisoning occurred at Nana Backpacker Hostel in November 2023, where tourists were given free shots of whiskey and vodka.
Calum mixed the drinks with soda, unaware of the danger. Shortly after, he and several travelers displayed severe symptoms.
Six people died, including two young Danish women whom Calum had met at local parties. Other tourists were also hospitalized.
The case reinforces a common practice in some Southeast Asian countries: the adulteration of cheap distilled spirits with methanol, a highly toxic type of alcohol.
More Victims Of Methanol Poisoning In Asia
Calum was not the only one to suffer the consequences. Simone White, a 28-year-old British woman, also consumed the drinks offered at the same hostel and ended up hospitalized. Despite medical efforts, she slipped into a coma and died days later.
“It’s very hard to accept what happened. Nothing will bring Simone back,” her mother, Sue, said in an interview.
Similar cases have been reported in different countries in the region. In Bali, Scottish Kirsty McKie died after consuming adulterated alcohol.
In Sumatra, young Cheznye Emmons ingested gin that contained 66,000 times the legal limit of methanol, resulting in her death.
What Is Methanol And Why Is It So Dangerous
Methanol is an alcohol found in fuels, solvents, and antifreeze. Unlike ethanol, used in beverages, it is highly toxic to the human body.
According to the organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF), as little as 30 ml of methanol can be fatal. Symptoms of poisoning include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision.
As these signs resemble those of a common hangover, many victims only seek help when it is too late.
If diagnosed between 10 and 30 hours after ingestion, treatment with dialysis can save lives. Otherwise, complications may progress to coma, permanent blindness, and death.
The Alert For Tourists In Southeast Asia
Alcohol adulteration poisoning is a recurring problem in countries like Laos, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Experts warn that very cheap drinks sold at bars and hostels may be contaminated.
Calum, who is now learning to use a cane and awaiting a guide dog, states that his mission is to raise awareness among other travelers: “There are many great beers in Southeast Asia. Avoid free spirits. I survived, but many were not so lucky,” he said.
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