CHEAP whisky is a favourite among Nepalese workers because of its low alcoholic content.

Balikar Lador, 34, said, however, he has never heard of anyone who suffered from poisoning or died from alcohol poisoning.

“Many Nepalese buy cheap liquor which cost RM7.50 but there has never been any cases of poisoning that caused death such as this.

“I am surprised because I think the alcoholic content is quite low, unlikely to be fatal, so the alcoholic drinks may have been contaminated,” he told reporters at Sungai Buloh Hospital today. 

Lador and his compatriot, Santos Basnet, 30, were in the hospital to search for their friend, Bhesh Kumar Karki, one of the victims of methanol poisoning, at several hospitals since early today.

Basnet said Karki’s family in Nepal could not reach him and suspected he was one of the victims.

“They (victim’s family) sent a message informing that my friend, Bhesh Kumar, is among those affected by the alcohol poisoning, at about 8 am today.

“After hearing the news, I went straight to the hospital to search for my friend, whether he is still being treated or dead,” he said at the hospital.

So far, 21 men have died from ​​​​​​​methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. – Bernama, September 19, 2018.