A suspected methanol poisoning outbreak in Vang Vieng, Laos, has taken the lives of four tourists. Recently, the fourth victim, Bianca Jones, a 19-year-old Australian tourist passed away due to methanol poisoning. Jones’s family confirmed her tragic death on Thursday.
Earlier in the week, the US State Department reported the death of an American man in the same town. Last week, two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, also succumbed to similar circumstances. Authorities believe the victims may have consumed methanol-laced beverages, sparking a full-scale investigation into the source of the tainted drinks.
New Zealand's foreign ministry revealed that one of its citizens was also unwell due to suspected methanol poisoning. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended his condolences to Jones’s family, calling the incident “every parent’s worst fear.” What is Methanol Poisoning?Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a toxic substance commonly used in industrial and household products like antifreeze, photocopier fluids, de-icers, paint thinners, varnishes, and windshield wiper fluids.
Although it is colourless and flammable like ethanol (the alcohol found in beverages), methanol is highly toxic to humans. Even small amounts of methanol can be deadly. According to the Methanol Institute, ingesting just 25–90 millilitres can be lethal.
Methanol is rapidly absorbed by the gut—within 10 minutes of ingestion—but its symptoms may not appear immediately. Symptoms and.
