Methanol Poisoning Claims Lives of Tourists in Southeast Asia: Survivors Speak Out

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:59:35 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A survivor recounts his near-fatal experience with methanol poisoning after a holiday gone wrong in Laos, where free alcohol shots led to blindness and tragedy for many.

Calum Macdonald, a survivor of a methanol poisoning incident in Laos, shares his harrowing story as he stands alongside families mourning their loved ones lost to the toxic substance. Amid calls for clearer safety warnings for travelers, the dangers of contaminated alcohol are highlighted in this pressing issue.

When Calum Macdonald crossed into Vietnam from Laos, he experienced a surreal visual phenomenon—a "kaleidoscopic blinding light" that soon led to complete blindness. Just hours before this incident, he and his friends had participated in a party scene at a hostel in Vang Vieng, where complimentary whisky and vodka shots were offered. Mixing these liquors with soft drinks, they initially dismissed their symptoms as food-related.

"At first, we thought it was food poisoning, but something felt off," Calum reflected as he realized they had not been sitting in the dark but rather his vision had failed him. This tragic situation unfolded just months after a series of methanol poisoning cases in the very same town, which left six people dead, including two Danish friends he had made while traveling.

In a grave twist of fate, the dangerous effects of methanol—found in poorly made alcoholic beverages—came to light as fellow traveler Simone White succumbed to the poison shortly after enjoying free shots at the hostel. Her mother, Sue, received devastating calls from doctors urging her consent for surgery while she hurried to Laos—a desperate journey that ended with heartbreak.

Tragically, methanol is commonly found in cleaning supplies and fuels, yet adulterated alcohol remains a serious issue in Southeast Asia, with many travelers unaware of its potential dangers. Symptoms of methanol poisoning can be deceptive, resembling common hangover effects before escalating to possible blindness or coma.

Calum, who has now taken on the mantle of advocacy along with other affected families, urges future travelers to steer clear of free alcoholic offers. "Better to enjoy safe local beers than risk your life for a free drink," he advised.

The Foreign Office echoed the gravity of the issue, noting their ongoing efforts to combat counterfeit alcohol dangers and improve traveler safety awareness. As Calum adapts to life without sight, he expresses gratitude for surviving and feels compelled to prevent similar tragedies from befalling others.