Six foreign tourists have died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, Southeast Asia. What is the substance and how does it affect the body?

Six tourists, including Australians and a British woman, died in Laos, likely from methanol poisoning. The U.S. State Department warns travelers about this risk. The Laos government is investigating the incident and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

The NHS warns that as little as 4ml of methanol can cause hallucinations and blindness. Half an hour to two hours after consuming methanol symptoms include drowsiness, confusion and irritability. Later symptoms include dizziness, vomiting, severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Multiple tourists have fallen sick after reportedly drinking alcohol spiked with methanol in a popular tourist town

An Australian teenager has become the fourth person to die in a suspected mass drink-spiking case in Laos where British tourists have also suffered symptoms of methanol poisoning.

The Laotian government on Saturday officially acknowledged the mass poisoning that has killed at least six tourists, pledging it would bring perpetrators to justice

Laos government has broken its silence, following the deaths of at least 6 tourists, including two Australians.