The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has reissued an alert warning that knowing the signs of methanol poisoning "could save your life" when travelling overseas.
The warning follows the deaths of British holidaymakers who consumed alcohol contaminated with methanol while abroad. Simone White, 28, died in November 2024 after drinking free shots at a hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos. Cheznye Emmons, 23, succumbed in April 2013 after unknowingly drinking tainted counterfeit gin in Indonesia. Kirsty McKie, 38, died in 2022 after ingesting methanol in Bali.
FCDO's warning
The FCDO said: "Know the signs. Urgent medical attention could save a life." It highlighted that as little as 10ml of methanol can cause blindness, while 30ml can be fatal.
Advice for travellers
TravelAware warns that "in some parts of the world methanol products are sometimes illegally mixed with 'real' alcohol such as spirit-based drinks and cocktails." Holidaymakers are urged to only purchase alcoholic drinks from licensed establishments, bars and hotels, avoid homemade beverages, check bottle seals are unbroken, and inspect labels for poor quality or spelling mistakes.
Symptoms to watch for
Initial signs of methanol poisoning include impaired judgement, loss of balance, and drowsiness. Between 12 and 48 hours after consumption, symptoms may include abdominal pain, vertigo, hyperventilation, breathlessness, blurred vision and/or blindness, coma, and convulsions. Visual disturbances are a particularly telling warning sign, such as blurry vision, difficulty tolerating bright lights, or "snowfield vision". If you or anyone in your travel party becomes unwell after drinking alcohol, seek urgent medical attention.
