A night of celebration turned into a medical emergency when two British tourists, along with three other men, were hospitalized after consuming a toxic cleaning agent instead of traditional Cretan liquor at a luxury hotel in Gouves, Crete.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning as the group, aged between 35 and 69, enjoyed drinks with bar staff.
The tourists had ordered shots of tsikoudia, a well-known local spirit, when the bartender mistakenly served them a cleaning agent she had found in a nearby fridge.
The situation escalated when the bartender poured a glass for herself but did not consume it, as the guests quickly began to feel unwell.
Immediate medical attention was required, and all five individuals were rushed to the hospital.
Currently, four of the tourists, including two British and one German, are receiving intensive care at the University Hospital of Heraklion, where they have been intubated and are on mechanical support due to the severity of their condition.
Local authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the mix-up, and the hotel management has yet to release a statement addressing the event.
The victims’ families have been notified, and updates on their conditions are awaited as they continue treatment in the intensive care unit.
