Eleven individuals have lost their lives, with ten others currently in critical condition, following the consumption of homemade alcohol in Colombia.

The situation came to light earlier in the week when authorities in Barranquilla responded to an emergency involving an unconscious man found on the street. Medical personnel arrived at the scene, confirming the death of a 47-year-old individual, as reported by Colombia One.

Agustin Guerrero, a toxicologist overseeing the medical response, disclosed that one individual did not respond to resuscitation attempts and passed away upon arrival at the hospital. Guerrero emphasized the critical condition of the patients brought to the General Hospital of Barranquilla by law enforcement.

Subsequently, additional patients were admitted and necessitated intubation, advanced resuscitation techniques, and immediate transfer to intensive care, according to Guerrero. He highlighted the challenges of detecting methanol poisoning promptly, as it can manifest immediately or hours after ingestion.

Reports indicate that homeless individuals in Barranquilla often consume “cochoco,” a low-cost mixture of ethyl alcohol, methanol, and other substances sold in plastic bottles for approximately 50 cents.

Colombia previously faced a health crisis in late 2022 when 37 people in Bogotá succumbed to methanol poisoning.

Methanol poisoning occurs when methanol is ingested accidentally, potentially present in alcoholic beverages. Once consumed, methanol metabolizes into formic acid, leading to vision impairment, central nervous system damage, and fatality.

Despite being tasteless and odorless, methanol poisoning exhibits early symptoms like confusion, dizziness, fatigue, and vomiting. Severe indications may arise between 12 and 48 hours post-ingestion, including headaches, nausea, seizures, vision issues, and the risk of slipping into a coma.

Notably, methanol poisoning gained public attention in the UK in November 2022 following the deaths of six individuals at a bar in Laos, including Australian, British, Danish, and American citizens.

The UK government’s Travel Aware initiative cautions that methanol poisoning incidents are not uncommon in tourist destinations and advises individuals to seek immediate assistance from emergency services or nearby hospitals if they suspect methanol poisoning.