Two men dead after drinking home brew in Australia

Two men have died and two more are critically ill in hospital after drinking a home-distilled spirit in Queensland, Australia.

It is thought the men have methanol poisoning after drinking the Italian grape-based spirit known as grappa.

Australia’s ABC News reported that authorities were called to a property in Ballandean in south-east Queensland, but they were unable to revive a 21-year-old man who died at the scene. They were later called back to the same house and a 30-year-old man was rushed to hospital. He was in a critical condition, but died at Toowoomba hospital.

The two other men, one aged 21 and the other 26, were taken to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, where they both remain in intensive care.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said investigations were now being conducted by police and Queensland Health.

He added: “If steps need to be taken to pursue anyone or any individuals, no doubt proper authorities will do that.

“There will also need to be some consideration as to what risk factors were involved here and what might be able to or need to be done to protect people in the future.

“When it comes to home brew, it’s not without some degree of risks and the immediate concern needs to be here to make sure the young people are able to be assisted to the road for recovery.”