https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yvwr8p12go
Third Death Reported in Brazil’s Methanol Poisoning Crisis
Brazil is facing a growing health emergency as methanol-laced alcoholic drinks have claimed yet another life — the third recorded fatality in the state of São Paulo.
The most recent victim, 30-year-old Bruna Araújo de Souza, passed away after drinking a vodka-based cocktail mixed with peach juice at a local bar more than a week ago. She was hospitalized in critical condition, and tests later confirmed the presence of methanol in her system. Her boyfriend, who drank the same beverage, also tested positive. Bruna was eventually declared brain-dead, according to an obituary shared online.
Her death follows those of Marcos Antônio Jorge Júnior, 46, and Ricardo Lopes Mira, 54 — both from São Paulo city. Mira fell ill after consuming vodka at a bar and died on 16 September; Júnior succumbed on 2 October.
According to Brazil’s health ministry, 225 cases of methanol poisoning have been confirmed nationwide, most concentrated in São Paulo state. Authorities have already shut down 11 establishments and seized more than 10,000 bottles of alcohol suspected to be contaminated. Investigators are still determining whether the tainting was deliberate or accidental.
Officials have urged the public to avoid any drink without proper labels, seals, or tax stamps, as these are tell-tale signs of illicit production.
What Makes Methanol So Dangerous
Methanol — often found in cleaning agents, fuel, and antifreeze — is highly toxic even in small doses. Its symptoms can mimic a simple hangover, making it difficult for victims to recognize the danger until it’s too late. Once ingested, methanol metabolizes into formaldehyde and formic acid, which can cause blindness, organ failure, and death.
The country’s health minister, Alexandre Padilha, has described the current situation as “abnormal and unlike anything else in our history regarding methanol poisoning.”
Fears are spreading across São Paulo’s nightlife scene. The manager of a popular bar near the bustling Paulista Avenue told the Associated Press that customers are becoming increasingly cautious. “Clients have been worried,” he said. “We’re advising them not to drink cocktails for now.”
Among those hospitalized is Hungria, a well-known Brazilian rapper, who posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed with a warning: “If you feel thirsty, find a safe place to drink.”
This is not Brazil’s first encounter with methanol-tainted alcohol. In 1999, at least 51 people died in Bahia state after a similar outbreak. More recently, neighboring Peru reported 54 deaths in 2022 from contaminated liquor.
According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), thousands worldwide fall victim to methanol poisoning each year, particularly in regions where public awareness and alcohol regulation remain weak.
The tragedy has reignited calls for stricter regulation of the alcohol industry and greater public education on the dangers of unlicensed beverages — a reminder that what seems like an innocent drink could, in reality, be deadly.
