Seven dead after drinking stolen alcohol in Cuba

Seven people have died and 41 are in hospital after drinking poisonous black market alcohol in Havana, Cuba.

According to the Cuban Health Ministry, the six men and one woman died after drinking methanol that was stolen from a state laboratory in Havana.

The statement added: “Due to its characteristics, it is difficult to differentiate from ethyl alcohol, which can lead to the occurrence of unfortunate accidents.”

The substance is “highly toxic to the human body, and its consumption can lead to serious consequences such as blindness and even death,” the statement added.

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is commonly used as an antifreeze, solvent or fuel.

The methanol was stolen from a state laboratory by two employees and sold by a woman in Havana’s western neighbourhood of La Lisa. The black market is popular in Cuba where many people earn less that $20 per month.