Summary

Holly Bowles, a 19-year-old Australian, has become the sixth foreign tourist to die from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos.

She and her friend Bianca Jones fell ill in Vang Vieng, a popular backpacking town, after reportedly consuming tainted alcohol, which can be lethal even in small amounts.

Other victims include a British lawyer, an American man, and two Danish women. Methanol, often found in bootleg or home-distilled alcohol, is believed to be the cause.

Authorities are investigating, with the manager of the hostel where free shots were served detained for questioning.

  • Hawk@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    30 days ago

    Distillation does not magically add methanol. If you simply look at the ingredients, it’s fairly clear that it would be very hard to ferment a deadly amount of ethanol.

    Maybe if they added tons of wood and leaves and used high pectine fruits? I guess it’s a possibility, but still seems unlikely.