A tourist has tragically lost all brain activity after consuming red wine allegedly contaminated with methanol. Anna Korosteleva, 50, was on holiday with her boyfriend Igor in Bali, Indonesia, when the incident occurred.
Timeline of Events
The couple arrived in Bali on May 31. Just two days later, on June 2, Anna was admitted to hospital. They had purchased a bottle of red wine bearing the label of a popular brand from a roadside stall. Igor, 39, did not drink any, but Anna consumed two glasses.
Rapid Deterioration
A friend told Russian media: "At night she started vomiting heavily, and by morning it got even worse - severe nausea, chills, a painful reaction to light, and difficulty breathing. Igor immediately took her to a local hospital. On the way she began having seizures and lost consciousness. She has not regained it since."
Medical Response
Doctors diagnosed acute methanol intoxication. Anna was placed on a ventilator and underwent haemodialysis. Despite these efforts, she developed kidney failure, and an electroencephalogram indicates loss of brain activity. Her loved ones refuse to accept this and are seeking further medical opinions.
Investigation Pending
It is unclear whether an investigation has been launched or if wine samples have been sent for analysis. Toxicologist Mikhail Kutushov told Russian media: "Poisoning can also be caused by other toxins, for example ethylene glycol. If the bottle still exists, it must be sent for analysis - traces of methanol can be detected there."
Background and Financial Burden
Anna, originally from Engels, Russia, had lived in Moscow and abroad, mainly in Vietnam, where she worked as a real estate agent. Her medical bill has reached nearly 2.5 million RUB (approximately £25,834) and continues to rise. A friend said: "Anna's mother is planning to sell a plot of land, but we don't want her to do that. We will try to help."
Wider Context
A CT scan will be performed to confirm or rule out brain death. Several Western governments have warned about alcohol risks in Southeast Asia, cautioning that contaminated drinks may include locally brewed spirits, cocktails, and even commercially branded alcohol.
