Bartender Arrested in Vietnam Following Tourist Deaths from Tainted Alcohol

A bartender in Vietnam was arrested on February 7 after allegedly causing the deaths of a British couple due to methanol poisoning from homemade limoncello. The bartender, identified as 46-year-old Le Tan Gia, faces charges for violating food safety regulations, according to local police. On December 24, Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her fiancé, Arno Quinton Els, 36, consumed the homemade limoncello, which was reportedly made with 70% medical-grade alcohol, not intended for consumption. Authorities stated that after drinking the concoction, the couple suffered serious methanol poisoning, leading to their deaths just days later, with their bodies discovered on December 26. Both victims were experienced travelers and had been living in Vietnam. According to Otteson’s family, they were planning a future together and were well-regarded in their community. Following the incident, officials are investigating the broader implications of contaminated alcohol in Vietnam, drawing attention to risks consumers face when purchasing homemade beverages.

Scientists have identified a new species of isopod in the deep waters of the South China Sea, naming it Bathynomus vaderi in homage to Star Wars character Darth Vader due to the creature's helmet-like appearance. This new species can grow over 30 centimeters in length and weigh more than a kilogram, according to experts from the National University of Singapore. The discovery emphasizes the still largely uncharted biodiversity of deep-sea environments, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reporting that roughly 91% of ocean species remain undiscovered. The deep-sea conditions, characterized by extreme pressure and limited light, contribute to the difficulty of exploring these habitats. As noted by researchers involved in the discovery, Bathynomus vaderi serves as a reminder of the unknowns in deep-sea ecology, highlighting the urgent need for better understanding as human activities, including deep-sea mining and fishing, threaten these ecosystems. Bathynomus species are consumed as a delicacy in Vietnam and have been favorably compared to lobsters for their quality of flesh.

A British woman and her South African fiancé were found dead at their villa in Vietnam in December 2024, and authorities have determined that methanol poisoning from contaminated alcohol was the cause of death. The couple, identified as Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Arno Quinto Els, 36, had recently moved to Vietnam and gotten engaged just weeks before their untimely deaths. The couple was found in separate rooms at the Hoi An Silverbell Villa. They had consumed tainted homemade limoncello that they ordered from a local restaurant on Christmas Eve. The following day, Otteson contacted her parents via WhatsApp, reporting severe hangover symptoms, including seeing "black spots" in her vision. Despite a friend's offer to take them to the hospital, the couple declined help. Following the discovery of their bodies, police found empty liquor bottles at the scene, leading to the autopsy results confirming methanol poisoning as the cause of death. Their families described them as experienced travelers who were excited about their life in Vietnam. Otteson’s parents have expressed their intention to seek justice for their daughter and her fiancé. No arrests have been made in relation to the case, and the name of the restaurant where the alcohol was purchased has not been disclosed.