A real estate agent from Russia, Anna Korosteleva, 50, was diagnosed with brain death after alleged methanol poisoning. The tragic case occurred during a tourist trip to the island of Bali, Indonesia, where she consumed a local drink.
The woman developed a serious health condition after drinking just two glasses of Cap Orang Tua red wine, a type of alcoholic drink commonly sold in the region. The product was purchased at a roadside stall.
Accompanied by her boyfriend, who did not consume the wine, Korosteleva was quickly taken to a hospital unit. She manifested concerning symptoms, including severe nausea, episodes of vomiting, extreme sensitivity to light and severe difficulty breathing.
The tourist was already in a state of convulsions and had lost consciousness even before the paramedics arrived and emergency care began. At the hospital, she needed to be intubated and underwent hemodialysis sessions, developing kidney failure before brain inactivity was confirmed by tests.
Global warning about the risks of methanol poisoning in beverages
Incidents like Anna Korosteleva highlight the serious threat of methanol in adulterated alcoholic beverages, a problem that is unfortunately not limited to Indonesia. Several countries, including Brazil, have already recorded deaths and permanent consequences due to the ingestion of clandestine alcohol, with methanol being a highly toxic compound that causes irreversible damage to the nervous system and other organs, often leading to brain death.
The Russian tourist’s hospitalization took place on May 31, the date on which the entire tragic episode began.
A close friend of Anna’s described the critical moments, explaining that her health condition deteriorated rapidly. According to the report, after intense vomiting during the night, the situation worsened in the morning, leading her boyfriend, Igor, 39, to rush her to the hospital, where she lost consciousness and never recovered.
Despite the diagnosis, the patient’s family expresses their desire not to accept brain death, maintaining hope for her recovery. While they wait, hospital costs accumulate, exceeding the 2.5 million rubles mark, which corresponds to more than R$170 thousand.