Methanol Poisoning Is Senseless and Easily Preventable. Why Does it Keep Happening?

From Laos in November there came the terrible news of a suspected mass methanol poisoning incident in which six foreign nationals died, with more hospitalized. For some, the case in Vang Vieng may be the first they have heard about methanol poisoning, although, sadly, it is not an uncommon occurrence across Southeast Asia. While tourists or foreign nationals may fall victim to methanol poisoning, it is more common for local residents to be affected, and usually those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds for whom legal alcohol, which is heavily taxed in countries like Indonesia, is prohibitively expensive. Perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of the tragedy in Laos is that methanol poisoning cases have been happening for years, and yet people – both locals and foreigners – keep dying due to a lack of information about the dangers.