When Calum Macdonald reached the Vietnamese border after traveling from Vang Vieng in Laos, he experienced sudden vision issues, describing a “kaleidoscopic blinding light.” A day earlier, he and his friends had consumed free whisky and vodka shots at their hostel. Initially, they attributed Calum’s symptoms to food poisoning, but upon arriving in Vietnam, he realized the gravity of his condition when he noticed that the lights in the hotel room were already on despite his inability to see them.
Calum, now blind, recounts this experience as he is one of several victims of a mass methanol poisoning incident linked to the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng that occurred in November. This incident resulted in six fatalities, including two Danish girls he had encountered during his travels.
In the aftermath, Calum has joined efforts with families of three other British victims of methanol poisoning. They are advocating for the Foreign Office to provide clearer warnings regarding the dangers of methanol-laced beverages in tourist destinations. One of these victims, Simone White, had reported enjoying her holiday until she became critically ill after drinking similar free shots. Tragically, her mother received urgent messages regarding Simone’s need for brain surgery but ultimately learned of her death due to methanol poisoning.
Methanol is a toxic alcohol commonly found in cleaning products. Its misuse can lead to severe health complications, including seizures, blindness, or even death, with as little as 30ml being fatal. Contaminated alcoholic beverages are a known risk in Southeast Asia, and symptoms can mimic a hangover, complicating diagnosis. Travelers are advised to be cautious with free drinks and to consider safer alternatives, such as local beers.
Calum emphasizes the importance of spreading awareness about the risks associated with methanol poisoning as he continues to adapt to his new reality. The Foreign Office acknowledges the issue and is working on raising awareness regarding the dangers of counterfeit alcohol.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd0qlmjl05o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss