A British traveler who went blind after drinking contaminated alcohol in Laos has spoken publicly for the first time, as families of other victims urge stronger warnings about methanol risks in Southeast Asia.
Calum Macdonald, 23, lost his sight last November after consuming free shots at a hostel in Vang Vieng, a popular party town.
He recalled seeing a kaleidoscopic flash of light before realizing he could no longer see.
Six people died in the same outbreak, including two Danish tourists he had met days earlier.
He is now blind and working with the families of three other British nationals who also died from methanol poisoning while abroad.
Together, they are calling on the UK Foreign Office to provide clearer travel warnings to prevent further deaths.
Among the victims was 28-year-old Simone White, who died after collapsing in Laos soon after drinking free shots.
Her mother described the ordeal of flying out after emergency surgery was attempted, only to learn her daughter had not survived.
Other cases include 38-year-old Kirsty McKie, who died in Bali after unknowingly drinking contaminated spirits at home, and Cheznye Emmons, who collapsed in Sumatra after consuming gin later found to contain dangerous levels of methanol.
Both women had no idea the alcohol they were drinking had been tampered with.
Methanol, commonly found in cleaning products and fuel, is sometimes present in counterfeit or poorly made spirits.
Just 30 milliliters can be fatal. Symptoms often resemble a hangover at first but can quickly lead to blindness, seizures, coma, or death.
If treated within hours, dialysis can save lives, but many victims seek medical help too late.
Calum now uses a cane and is training for a guide dog. Despite his disability, he says he feels fortunate to have survived and believes he has a duty to warn others.
He advises tourists to avoid free or cheap spirits and stick to sealed bottled drinks or beer.
The UK Foreign Office has acknowledged that counterfeit alcohol is a serious concern in some destinations and said it continues to work with local authorities and the travel industry to raise awareness among travelers.