Christer Hogstrand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology, at King’s College London said it was also “not uncommon in home-distilled alcohol”.
“Methanol is like the alcohol in our drinks – colourless and odourless – but its impact on humans can be deadly,” he explained. “It has a different carbon atom structure which completely changes how humans process it in the body, leading to these potentially fatal consequences.”
It is not yet known where any of the people who fell sick or died were poisoned.
It can take up to 24 hours for victims to start showing signs of illness.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel – where the Australian teenagers were staying – has said it gave out free shots to around 100 guests the previous evening.
But the hostel’s manager told news agency Associated Press that no other guests had become unwell., external
The manager of the hostel has since been detained for questioning by police.
Methanol poisoning has long been a well-known issue across South East Asia, particularly in the poorer countries along the Mekong river.
But despite foreign governments posting warnings about alcohol consumption in these places, there is still little awareness among the backpacker party scene.
