Suspicious deaths rattle St. Lucia community


St. Lucia Chief Medical Officer Dr. Merlen Fredericks said the deaths are being investigated

A series of suspicious deaths has rattled the community of Coolie Town, Marigot in St. Lucia, forcing health authorities in the neighboring country to issue a public health alert on the matter.

It has been reported that four people have died after they allegedly ingested a poisonous substance which looked and smell like alcohol. It is further reported that the substance may have been stolen and shared.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health in St. Lucia issued a public health alert warning people against consuming alcohol from unrecognized sources until investigations are completed.

The ministry said the deaths occurred between Friday 9th and Monday 12th March 2018.

“These patients presented to the Victoria Hospital at varying times with unusual symptoms, such as sudden onset of blindness, abnormal abdominal pain and in some cases, persons developed rapid unconsciousness and death,” the statement said. “The symptoms seem more in keeping with a poisonous substance. We do not believe that the individuals died of an infectious disease. We have heard rumors of a possible toxic substance, perhaps something that looks like and smells like alcohol being stolen and shared but have no evidence at this point of what the actual toxin may be.”

The ministry appealed to anyone with information to come forward and share with the police.

“Persons who believe they may have been exposed should visit a health facility where they can be examined, tested and managed,” the statements said.

Meanwhile, residents of the community have been speaking to the St. Lucia media on the matter.

“There is a rum, in a bottle, a dirty bottle, and when someone drinks it, that person is dead,” a man identified as “Matius” told HTS News.

Another told HTS, “A lot of things happen there. Today one died, next day another one die, next day another one die, you understand. But it is sad. Very sad. They were not violent people. Just like that. No trouble nothing to say that one this and that one that. No, none of them.”

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11 Comments

  1. KID ON THE BLOCK
    March 16, 2018

    A lesson for those who buy stolen goods from people.

  2. Laughter the best medicine
    March 15, 2018

    Might be Putin/Russians in the region.LMAO

  3. Anonymous
    March 15, 2018

    Methanol, not ethanol.

    • Malatete
      March 15, 2018

      Thanks for the correction. I did mean to say methanol, often the lethal product of clandestine brewing/distilling.

  4. Peace
    March 15, 2018

    At least it is being reported in STL. The situation is almost the same in Scotts Head. Without the basic human necessity, which is water the people of my village are susceptible to various stress illnesses which is detrimental and catastrophic to our wellbeing. We the elderly cannot make it to the roadside buffalos.

    • zandoli
      March 15, 2018

      Can someone please translate what “Peace” is trying to say here?

    • Toto
      March 15, 2018

      What are roadside buffaloes? Not even cows we have again in Dominica. Talk English please.

  5. mine
    March 15, 2018

    What is wrong with world of today. Lord have mercy on your children.

  6. Malatete
    March 15, 2018

    With the mentioning of blindness as one of the symptoms it sounds to me this could possible be ethanol (wood alcohol) poisoning.

    • franko
      March 16, 2018

      Ethanol is the alcohol you drink. You probably mean “methanol”.

  7. seerer
    March 15, 2018

    yh that scary .ppl do not steal and go re sell .now the ppl who bought this stolen goods the dead ppl is on your shoulder it a scare for life.and calling anybody who know pls give the police information cause you all know the police and official came and u all with holding information.because heard the ministry fear that more fatality will happen.

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