A Canadian woman, Ashley King, has issued a stark warning to tourists after she lost her vision from methanol poisoning following a cocktail she consumed while on vacation in Bali. In a video shared on social media, King recounted her harrowing experience, stating, ‘A shot can kill you.’ Her message has sparked renewed attention to the dangers of methanol contamination in alcoholic beverages.
Methanol, a chemical typically found in industrial products such as antifreeze, paint thinner, and gasoline, is highly toxic to humans. According to health experts, even a single shot of methanol can lead to severe poisoning, blindness, or death. King explained that in developing countries, methanol is sometimes added to alcohol to expand its volume, often sold back to bars, restaurants, and hotels. This practice, she emphasized, poses a silent but deadly risk to unsuspecting consumers.
The incident has been echoed by similar cases across the globe, with instances in Laos, Iran, and Europe highlighting the alarming prevalence of methanol-tainted drinks. A U.S. tourist recently died in Laos after suspected alcohol poisoning, while a Central European outbreak in 2012 left 19 people dead and 24 hospitalized. These tragic events underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness and stricter regulations to prevent such dangers.
To protect themselves, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises travelers to avoid unsealed drinks, suspiciously cheap alcohol, and unlabeled containers. King, who is also an actor, writer, and advocate, is now promoting a petition to increase public awareness and prevent future tragedies. She emphasized that losing her eyesight was the hardest thing she has ever faced, but the potential to save lives makes her efforts worthwhile. The issue has gained widespread attention, prompting calls for greater vigilance and policy changes to ensure safer drinking habits for travelers globally.