PORT MORESBY (The National/PINA)— Three young Papua New Guineans are dead and one is completely blind in Tambunim village, East Sepik, following a methanol-drinking spree.
A similar incident occurred in the same village in 1992 where four people died and four lost their eyesight permanently after they consumed methylated spirits.
Reports of the latest tragedy reached the office of the East Sepik provincial police commander, Leo Kabilo, in Wewak.
Kabilo has appealed to the villagers not to drink methanol, or wood alcohol. “This thing kills people, don’t touch it,” he said.
The latest Tambunim incident happened when 10 young people sat together and began drinking a two-liter bottle of methanol that was taken to the village by a couple.
“They started drinking about 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. when they finished drinking the contents. Then one man started feeling bad inside his stomach and began vomiting and his eyesight started to fade and he collapsed and died,” said Kabilo.
He named the first victim as Katkat Kami, aged 19.
“On the next day…Joe Gawi, started feeling ill and he collapsed and also died.
“And the following day…a young lady, Nicholai Yanjuan, aged 19, felt ill and also died,” said Kabilo. He said a fourth person, Rueben Sau, had lost all his eyesight
Police had gone to the village and arrested the man and wife who gave the methanol to the young villagers.
They also arrested and charged the four other people who consumed it but had recovered after vomiting and pains in their stomach.
This came after they were quickly rushed to the Tambunim health center for emergency treatment.
