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.

  • AItoothbrush@lemmy.zip
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    3 hours ago

    You know in eastern europe they teach you to only drink something from people you know, because if it has methanol at least the last thing you drank was some good shit. On a serious note, isnt there a way for testing for methanol? And if there is why dont people do it? This of course doesnt work in very poor places but why dont they make it required by law in european countries and then suddenly all the homebrew you can get wont kill you.

    • MintyFresh@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      edit-2
      2 hours ago

      The only quick and easy way I know is to burn it in a dark room. If you get a pure blue flame you’re good. But if it’s at all orange, it needs another go through the still.