Urgent warning to tourists as 11 more countries found to serve poisonous alcoholic drinks

Many holidaymakers enjoy sipping a cocktail on the beach or trying a new drink at a bar during their travels.

But after a spate of methanol poisonings in popular destinations around the world, the Foreign Office has added travel warnings to 11 more countries. 

Methanol is an industrial alcohol that can be found in antifreeze and paint thinners but in some countries, it is illegally mixed with spirit-based drinks and cocktails to cut costs. 

Even small amounts of methanol can cause blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours of consuming it.

The toxic substance is tasteless and odourless, making it impossible to detect. 

Mainstream holiday hotspots including Japan, Mexico, Kenya and Peru already had warnings put out after a string of methanol-related incidents.

Tourists visiting Thailand, Laos and Vietnam were also warned.

Now, travel guidance by the Foreign Office has been updated for 11 more countries including Bangladesh, India, Jordan, Malawi, Iran, Malaysia, Libya, Morocco, Nepal, Rwanda and Papua New Guinea, the BBC reports.

Many holidaymakers enjoy sipping a cocktail on the beach or trying a new drink at a bar during their travels (stock)

The advice for India, for example, reads: ‘There has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.

‘Even small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell.

‘See Travel Aware Drink Spiking and Methanol Poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.

‘Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.’

Minister responsible for Consular and Crisis, Hamish Falconer said: ‘Methanol poisoning can kill – it can be difficult to detect when drinking and early symptoms mirror ordinary alcohol poisoning. By the time travellers realise the danger, it can be too late.

‘That’s why we’re working hard to raise awareness of the warning signs and urging anyone who suspects methanol poisoning to seek immediate medical attention. I encourage all travellers to check our travel advice and Travel Aware pages before they go on holiday.

‘No family should endure what the campaigners’ families have suffered. Their determination to prevent others facing the same tragedy has been instrumental in driving forward these vital updates to our travel advice.’

But after a spate of methanol poisonings in popular destinations around the world, the Foreign Office has added travel warnings to 11 more countries (pictured: Marrakesh in Morocco)

It comes as a 28-year-old British lawyer died after drinking a shot at a hostel in Laos last year.

Simone White was one of at least six tourists who died from suspected methanol poisoning in the backpacker town of Vang Vieng, most likely from a bar that served bootleg spirits.  

Experts say that poor countries along the Mekong River in particular are exploited by alcohol suppliers as there are low levels of law enforcement and little regulation in the hospitality industry.

This allows for the production of dangerous, counterfeit alcohol mixed with cheaper and toxic substances like methanol instead of ethanol, leading to poisoning and deaths.