Kuta Police is investigating the deaths of two tourists who allegedly died from methanol poisoning.
While Kuta’s Police Chief would not disclose the location the pair had been drinking in a Merdeka report released earlier this week, Tribun Bali now reports that the Russian tourist and her Manado partner were drinking at a bar in Legian called Oscar’s before they died.
Merdeka identified the two victims as Russian woman Bulgakova Iulia, 28, and Manado man Villy Kaudrow, 23.
But it hasn’t yet been confirmed if they died from methanol poisoning resulting from drinks that were served to them at the Legian bar in question.
Kuta Police Chief Dedy Januarta says police have examined four witnesses over the methanol content in beverages served at Oscar’s.
“We have already checked the witnesses, including the bartender, owner, waiter, and the reporting witness,” he told Tribun Bali on Tuesday. He added that so far no one has been named as a suspect and police would need to prove intent in order to declare someone suspect.
For their investigation, officers are also reportedly bringing in expert witnesses from Indonesia’s Food and Drug Agency (BPOM).
If the investigation finds that the menu of beverages at Oscar’s actually do contain high levels of methanol, then the owner and bartender can be declared as perpetrators, reports Tribun.
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited for clarity. Read more here Death toll from alleged methanol poisoning at Legian bar rises, police continue to investigate
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