Britons heading off on holiday to Costa Rica have been issued with stark safety advice following deaths from alcohol poisoning. Around 95,000 UK residents visit the stunning holiday hotspot, in Central America, every year. Yet this summer a spate of deaths and serious illnesses from methanol – which has been placed in drinks – have been recorded, prompting the FCO to update its advice. It warns UK travellers of what action to take and how to prepare and advised travellers should “take care when buying any spirit based drinks.”
Detailing the frightening scenario, it states: “There have been a number of deaths and cases of serious illness in Costa Rica caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol.
“Criminal gangs have been reported to manufacture bottles of alcohol containing high amounts of methanol.
“These have included the brands “Guaro Gran Apache”, “Aguardiente Estrella Roja”, “Guaro Montano”, “Aguardiente Barón Rojo”, “Aguardiente Timbuka” and “Aguardiente Molotov”.
“You should take care when buying any spirit-based drinks.”
It added: “The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) says “Methanol can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
“High doses can cause blindness or vision loss as a consequence of serious damage to the optic nerve.
“Chronic exposure may cause liver damage, cirrhosis or even death from respiratory or cardiac failure”.
“If you, or someone you’re travelling with, shows signs of alcohol-induced methanol poisoning, seek immediate medical attention.
“Avoid leaving drinks unattended in bars as there have been reports of ‘spiked’ drinks resulting in assault and theft.”
Yet the FCO was eager to emphasise most visits to the country, famed for its lush rainforests, were “trouble free”.
Earlier this week, Express.co.uk reported how, according to News Breaking Live, those killed in the latest spell of alcohol poisoning in Costa Rica are aged between 32 and 72.
Local reports suggest that six different brands of alcohol have subsequently had warnings placed on them.
The brands were Guaro Montano; Aguardiente Barón Red; Aguardiente Timbuka; and Molotov Aguardiente.
The country’s health ministry suggested that some vendors were selling counterfeit products.
However, they said it was unclear whether this was done so knowingly, or unknowingly.
