Two die to alcohol poisoning after drinking at funeral

Duong Phuoc Dong, head of the intensive care and clinical toxicology department of the Kien Giang General Hospital, said the two patients suffered from multiple organ failure and damage to the central nervous system due to methanol poisoning. Another patient is already brain-dead.

Three days prior, five people were hospitalized at the Kien Giang general hospital due to alcohol poisoning. The other two’s health is currently stable.

Nine other people who also attended the funeral suffered milder alcohol poisoning and are being treated at smaller medical facilities.

“Alcohol poisoning can be mistaken for getting drunk as they share similar symptoms, like headache, dizziness and vomiting,” Dong said, adding that those who suffer from alcohol poisoning also have their nervous system damaged.

Over 150 people attended the four-day (November 2-5) funeral, who drank around 100 liters of alcohol. Alcohol samples have been taken for analysis and results are awaited.

The person whose funeral was held had also drunk at a party with friends and complained of chest pain and dizziness later. He died on November 2.