Five Dead After Drinking Industrial Methanol-Containing Alcohol in Cambodia

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] An accident occurred in a village in Cambodia where five residents died after sharing and drinking alcohol suspected to contain a large amount of industrial methanol.

According to local media such as The Khmer Times on the 30th, on the 28th, at a funeral in a village in Kampong Chhnang Province in central Cambodia, five residents who shared and drank rice wine died.

Initially, one person died, but the death toll increased as four seriously injured patients hospitalized also passed away.

In addition, it is reported that as many as 110 people were hospitalized.

Or Bandin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, stated, "It has been investigated that the residents drank contaminated alcohol," and "the condition of the hospitalized residents has improved."

Following this accident, the spokesperson said that the sale of rice wine in Kampong Chhnang Province has been temporarily banned.

Spokesperson Or Bandin urged residents, saying, "It can be life-threatening," and "Do not drink alcohol with unclear raw materials or that is not made according to proper manufacturing methods."

Local media reported that rice wine produced locally is popular in rural areas because it is cheap.

However, it is also known to be highly dangerous as there are many cases where it contains high concentrations of methanol, which is unsuitable for consumption.

Unlike ethanol used as a raw material for alcohol, methanol is mainly used industrially and is a toxic substance that can cause blindness or even death if consumed in large quantities.

In Cambodia, in June, there was also an incident where seven people died and about 30 were hospitalized after drinking alcohol containing methanol.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.