Vital warnings issued to Brits over travellers dying from dodgy alcohol as holiday hotspot list revealed
Urgent warnings have been issued to Brits over fears of contaminated alcohol still being served in a number of holiday hotspots.
A list of 'at risk' countries has been issued by the Foreign Office, which come with an increased chance of travellers unknowingly consuming potentially fatal methanol.
A number of people have tragically died as a result of drinking contaminated alcohol in recent years, which often leave unsuspecting victims thinking they are just suffering from a hangover.
Methanol is a highly toxic industrial strength form of alcohol that can sometimes be found in counterfeit, illegally produced or contaminated alcoholic drinks.
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As little as 30ml, just a single shot amount, can be fatal to an adult, while smaller amounts can cause serious and permanent harm, including blindness.
Tragic victims include Simone White who accepted free shots while staying at a hostel in Vang Vieng in Laos, in November 2024. She was with her friend Bethany and was one of six people who died.
Following her death, her friend Hannah-Mei Grisley, said she had 'no idea something could be so dangerous without obvious warning signs'.
"The next morning, they woke up and thought they had a really bad hangover," Hannah-Mei explained. "Simone vomited, Bethany fainted, and that’s when they knew something was seriously wrong.
"That’s why it’s so important that people know how to reduce the risk when drinking alcohol overseas and seek urgent help as soon as something doesn’t feel right.
Just weeks later, a young couple, Greta Marie Otteson and her South African partner Els Arno Quinton, were tragically found dead at a villa in Vietnam on Boxing Day after methanol poisoning from limoncello.
Hours earlier, Greta had messaged her parents to say she had 'the worst hangover ever' and was going to have a nap. Tragically she never woke up, nor did her fiancé.
And Kirsty McKie, 38, who had been living in Bali for eight years and was aware of the risks of contaminated alcohol, also died back in 2022 after unknowingly drinking some in a bottle of limoncello bought from what was thought to be a reputable supplier.
Her mum Margaret has also been among the families campaigning to raise awareness, adding: "Kirsty thought, like a lot of people do when they’ve got methanol poisoning, 'it’s a hangover, and I’ll just curl up in bed and go to sleep'. But with methanol poisoning, it gets worse.
"If you notice that one of your friends is much drunker than you would expect them to be, or they’re experiencing vision problems or breathlessness, it’s really important they get to hospital fast. You could save a life."
Earlier this month, at least 49 people died with over 100 others hospitalised in Ondo State, Nigeria, following a suspected methanol poisoning outbreak linked to a locally brewed gin-based drink known as Monkey Tail.
What is methanol poisoning?
Typically found in antifreeze, paint thinners and windscreen-washer fluid, methanol cannot be tasted in drinks. But home-brewed alcohol is often found to contain it.
However according to the Foreign Office, it is now being sold on the streets and served in cocktails.
Spirit-based drinks should be largely avoided, with labelled and sealed alcohol bought from licenced stores, bars and restaurants still coming with risks.
While it is not possible to eliminate the risk of methanol poisoning completely when drinking alcohol overseas, holidaymakers are advised to take steps to reduce the chance of contaminated alcohol.
The Foreign Office says this includes avoiding free cocktails or shots, drinking from unlabelled bottles, and purchasing unusually cheap or heavily discounted drinks that claim to be brand-name alcohol.
Alternatives could include branded beers, ciders, wines and premixed cocktails sold in sealed bottles or cans. Although it doesn’t completely remove the risk, travellers should stick to licensed stores, bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels, and avoid homemade, bootleg or street-sold alcohol.
It can take up to 24 hours after consuming a methanol laced drink for these symptoms to appear, as the chemical only becomes toxic once the body begins to metabolise it.
Anyone with suspected methanol poisoning is urged to seek medical attention immediately.
Methanol poisoning can lead to brain damage, organ failure, blindness and death and symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, changes to vision and abdominal pain.
Some of the symptoms of methanol poisoning can include vomiting, poor judgement, loss of balance and drowsiness.
Around 12-48 hours after drinking, the symptoms can include vertigo, stomach and abdominal pain, breathlessness, blurred vision or blindness.
Full list of countries
According to the Foreign Office there are a total of 29 destinations that carry methanol poisoning warnings, including popular tourist destinations such as Indonesia, Morocco, Turkey and Vietnam.
The current list covered by the warning is:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Fiji
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Libya
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Vietnam
Topics: Travel, Health, UK News, World News, Alcohol
James Holt