Following a suspected methanol poisoning incident that left six tourists hospitalized and one dead, authorities have initially identified the alcoholic beverage involved as sơ ri (sour cherry) wine, originating from Tien Giang Province.

On April 2, a source told VietNamNet that the Department of Industry and Trade of Tien Giang Province will coordinate with relevant agencies to inspect the second facility of K.T Company - the producer of the wine linked to the incident. The company’s headquarters is located in Chau Thanh District, with a second production site in My Tho City, Tien Giang.

According to preliminary findings from local authorities, on March 29, a group of 19 tourists from Tien Giang had lunch at a floating restaurant in Ninh Thuan Province. The food was prepared on-site, and eight members of the group consumed two bottles of sơ ri wine, 500ml each, labeled with a production date of June 9, 2024, and a three-year shelf life. The wine was produced by K.T Company and brought along by the tourists. They had purchased three boxes (each containing six bottles) in Binh Duc Commune, Chau Thanh District, prior to the 2025 Lunar New Year.

That evening, the group dined at another restaurant in Ninh Thuan and continued drinking the sơ ri wine.

On March 30, the group began their journey home and arrived in Can Giuoc District, Long An Province. At that point, eight individuals began showing symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and nausea.

Two of them showed more severe symptoms - bluish skin and convulsions - and were taken to the Can Giuoc District Medical Center. The remaining six were later transferred to Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, while the other two returned home.

After medical evaluation, doctors concluded that the patients were suffering from alcohol poisoning, likely caused by methanol - a toxic form of industrial alcohol. Two patients were in critical condition: B.V.D. (51 years old) and P.N.Q.K. (25 years old).

Tragically, Mr. K. passed away on the afternoon of April 1. The other patients have since stabilized. Notably, Mr. D. regained consciousness, no longer required vasopressor medications, and is now being assessed for ventilator removal.

Following the incident, on April 1, medical personnel from Tan Phu Dong District Health Center (Tien Giang) visited the workplaces of those affected to gather further information. The health center confirmed that eight people showed signs of methanol poisoning.

During the investigation, 11 unopened bottles of sơ ri wine produced by K.T Co., Ltd. were found at the site. Reports indicate that the victims had consumed this same wine throughout their trip in Ninh Thuan Province.

The district health center has since collected samples of the wine for laboratory testing and analysis.

Hoai Thanh