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in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Medical validation:
November 23, 2024
Six tourists lost their lives in Vang Vieng (Laos) after consuming adulterated alcohol. How to explain such poisoning? The response from Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo.
In Laos, two Danes, two Australians, a British woman and an American died after spending an evening drinking contaminated alcohol. To clarify the facts, Australia requested a full investigation from the Laotian authorities.
Massive poisoning
According to our colleagues at 20 minutesnearly a dozen tourists fell ill on the evening of November 12 after spending an evening in Vang Vieng, a famous party spot. All had consumed adulterated alcohol contaminated with “methanol”, a toxic and colorless alcohol usually used in industry (windshield washer fluid) and household products… but often added to alcoholic drinks to reduce the price. .
Although several of the tourists were hospitalized, particularly in Bangkok, some of them did not recover from this massive poisoning and lost their lives.
“Bianca Jones tragically lost her life. Our first thoughts are with his family and friends who are suffering a terrible and cruel loss.“, confirmed the Australian Prime Minister in Parliament.
In recent days, another young Australian woman was fighting for her life in a Thai hospital. But she died this Friday, bringing the number of victims to six.
“All Australians are heartbroken by the tragic death of Holly Bowles“, said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. “Just yesterday, Holly lost her best friend, Bianca Jones….All Australians are thinking of these two families“, she added.
Faced with these numerous deaths, the Australian government wants answers. He demanded an investigation”complete and transparent” on the circumstances of these deaths. The manager of an inn selling this toxic alcohol was also arrested.
Adulterated alcohol can cause blindness, liver damage, and even coma
Adulterated alcohol is contraband alcohol, produced illegally and often in precarious conditions. It is generally modified by the addition of toxic or poor quality substances.
“It is responsible for numerous deaths around the world each year: according to the WHO, adulterated alcohol causes more than 100,000 deaths annually. It leads to frequent incidents and massive poisonings, particularly in developing countries because this alcohol is often denatured by the addition of methanol or other toxic substances (sometimes produced with unsuitable equipment such as automobile radiators used as condensers…)“, reveals Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
In terms of its effects on health, its very significant toxicity can cause:
- Visual disturbances, which can lead to blindness;
- Dermatitis (inflammations of the skin);
- Severe, potentially fatal poisoning;
- A deep coma;
- Liver damage;
- Neuropsychological disorders
Adulterated alcohol can also contain many dangerous substances such as “methanol, which can also cause serious eye damage and death even in small amounts” or even “glycol from antifreeze, lead“, concludes the medical director of Doctissimo.
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