Methanol in Drinks: The Lethal Risk Behind Tourist Deaths in Laos

Six tourists, including two Australians and a British woman, died in Laos from suspected methanol poisoning after consuming tainted alcohol. Methanol, a toxic alcohol used in industrial products, can be fatal if ingested. It is sometimes illicitly added to drinks to cut costs. Travelers are advised to purchase alcohol from licensed sources and be cautious of homemade or unusually cheap drinks. The U.S. State Department and other agencies have issued warnings about the risks of methanol poisoning.