Holly Bowles sixth to die of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos
www.bbc.com
Holly Bowles died in hospital more than a week after first falling ill in a Laos tourist town.

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.

  • irotsoma@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    4 hours ago

    That’s true for beers, wines, etc., but not for liquor, which is what I mentioned. Liquor being anything that is distilled.

    • Hawk@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      1·
      1 hour 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.