Dozens sickened, killed by methanol-laced Nigerian drink

Officials in southwestern Nigeria reported on Thursday that at least 48 people died after drinking a locally produced herbal drink suspected of containing methanol, according to the Associated Press. Ondo State Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka reported that about 100 more people were hospitalized for suspected methanol poisoning, with a total of about 180 people impacted from consuming the drink. Local officials stopped the sale of locally produced alcohol over two weeks ago, after the first 30 deaths, according to a previous statement from the Ondo State Ministry of Health.

What is methanol poisoning? Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a colorless, industrial alcohol that is commonly found in products like antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, and industrial solvents. The severity of methanol poisoning may vary depending on exposure level, with symptoms ranging from dizziness and vomiting to blindness and death. Methanol poisonings usually stem from consuming homemade, unregulated alcohol, from unregistered brewers adding methanol to normal, safe alcohol to make it seem stronger.

How did so many people consume the drink? Ondo State Police believed that one man brewed the drink, also referred to as an alcohol concoction, which up to a dozen other individuals distributed. Police arrested the man suspected of brewing the concoction, Oloruntoba “Meko” Babatunde, according to a Monday statement from police. Officials recovered substances suspected of containing methanol and arrested 14 other individuals accused of selling or drinking the brew, police reported.