Six foreign tourists have died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, Southeast Asia. What is the substance and how does it affect the body?

What is methanol, what are the symptoms of methanol poisoning and how does it end up in alcohol? - Foreign Office advises tourists how to avoid alcohol that may be accidentally toxic or may be counter

The U.S., Australia and U.K. have issued warnings for travelers in Vang Vieng after several tourists died in a suspected methanol poisoning outbreak.