When Calum Macdonald crossed the Vietnamese border, all he could see was a "kaleidoscopic blinding light." Just hours earlier, he had stepped off a night bus from Vang Vieng, Laos, where he and friends had been drinking free shots of whisky and vodka. It was only at the border that he suspected something was wrong with his vision.
"I remember having this sort of kaleidoscopic, blinding light in my eyes to the point where I couldn't see anything," he shared. Initially dismissing it as food poisoning, Calum soon realized he was completely blind. He is one of several victims of a mass methanol poisoning incident that took place last November in Vang Vieng, a city notorious for its party culture.
The tragic event led to six fatalities, including two Danish tourists whom Calum knew. Now, Calum is advocating for increased awareness surrounding the risks of methanol poisoning, collaborating with the families of other victims, including Simone White, who died after consuming contaminated shots just a day after Calum left.
Simone had texted her mother that it was the "best holiday she'd ever been on," but her joy quickly turned to tragedy. Admitted to the hospital, Simone’s mother received devastating news that her daughter required urgent brain surgery due to the poisoning; however, it was too late.
Methanol, an alcohol found in products like cleaning supplies and antifreeze, can contaminate alcoholic drinks during poor manufacturing practices, which are common in certain regions of Southeast Asia. Symptoms of methanol poisoning can mimic typical hangover effects and may not raise immediate concern until it is too late. Severe reactions can result in seizures, blindness, or even death.
Calum’s plight echoes that of other victims, including Kirsty McKie, who died in Bali, and Cheznye Emmons, who succumbed to severe poisoning from gin contaminated with an astronomical amount of methanol. Their families, alongside Calum, are calling for clarity and caution from travel authorities regarding the dangers posed by cheap alcohol in these regions.
Calum, now learning to navigate life blind, urges fellow travelers to avoid free drinks and opt for local beers instead. "I felt, given that I survived, I have a bit of a responsibility to try and prevent the same thing from happening to other people," he reflects.
The Foreign Office recognizes the serious threat posed by methanol poisoning and asserts that they are actively working to raise awareness and mitigate risks for travelers abroad.
