In a shocking incident on Sunday evening, Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City became the urgent medical destination for six individuals in critical condition suspected of methanol poisoning. These patients, who were part of a group tour, had reportedly consumed fruit wine during their outing.

The health crisis unfolded as the six victims, aged between 25 and 51, were transferred from Can Giuoc District Hospital in Long An Province around 8:30 PM. Among them, two were already in a coma and required lifesaving interventions, including intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Identified as D.T.D., T.H.T., P.V.T.B., B.V.D., D.V.L., and P.N.Q.K., all six hailed from the southern Tien Giang Province. They had traveled to Ninh Thuan Province, where they indulged in more than six 500ml bottles of a fruit wine branded as ‘K.T.’, which is believed to be produced in their home province.

Initially dismissing their digestive symptoms—abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting—as mere hangover effects the next morning, their condition took a dire turn during their return trip. By 3:00 PM on Sunday, the youngest member of the group, P.N.Q.K., was found semi-conscious and in urgent need of medical assistance.

A prompt response from local medical teams transported the critically ill individuals to Can Giuoc Hospital, where two—B.V.D. and P.N.Q.K.—were discovered unresponsive, necessitating immediate life-saving actions before their subsequent transfer to Cho Ray Hospital.

Dr. Le Quoc Hung, head of the Tropical Diseases Department at Cho Ray Hospital, stated that clinical indications pointed heavily toward methanol poisoning. Emergency protocols were activated, and both critical patients were quickly moved to the intensive care unit for dialysis, while the other four underwent blood purification in the emergency ward.

In a glimmer of hope, one of the two critical patients has regained consciousness and may soon be taken off mechanical ventilation. However, the condition of P.N.Q.K. remains grave as he is still in a deep coma, facing possible brain damage and ongoing close observation.

Dr. Hung highlighted the alarming reality of methanol poisoning as a recurring issue in Vietnam, with Cho Ray Hospital admitting approximately 30-50 cases of methanol poisoning annually. Methanol, often found in low-cost industrial alcohol, is frequently implicated in counterfeit liquor, rendering it indistinguishable from safer ethanol-based drinks like rice or grain wine.

In light of this tragic incident, Dr. Hung urgently advised the public to exercise extreme caution when consuming alcohol of unknown origin. He warned that symptoms of methanol poisoning—such as blurred vision, low blood pressure, cold sweats, seizures, and even coma—must be treated seriously, underscoring the potential lethality of consuming tainted beverages.

As investigations into this particular case continue, it serves as a sobering reminder for all to prioritize safety and responsibility when it comes to alcohol consumption.