Tainted alcohol is becoming a problem for foreign travellers in some small tourist areas in South East Asia. A bartender in a popular Vietnamese tourist town has been arrested in relation to the deaths of two foreign tourists. Authorities in Hoi An say they died of methanol poisoning from tainted alcohol.

Ottson Greta Marie, 33, a British woman, and Els Arno Quinton, 36, and Els Arno Quinton, 36, from South Africa were recently found dead inside their villa.

Restaurant bartender Le Tan Gia, 46, was arrested by the police investigating the deaths.

He allegedly mixed 70% antiseptic alcohol with water, lemon zest and sugar to make bottles of Limoncello.

Police found opened alcohol bottles in the villa.

“After taking the drinks, the two suffered serious methanol poisoning, leading to their death,” a police statement said.

This is not an isolated incident. In November 2024, six foreign tourists died and 11 were hospitalised from methanol poisoning after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos. In December seven tourists were hospitalised  in Fiji after drinking at a local bar.

See related articles:

Tainted Alcohol kills six hospitalizes 11

Spiked drinks suspected after tourists hospitalised.

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