Toxic Alcohol from 'Vodkabil' Hospitalizes Several Young Girls in Stockholm Suburbs
Several young girls in Stockholm suburbs hospitalized after consuming toxic alcohol bought from a 'vodkabil' via social media, suspected to contain hazardous isopropanol.
- • Four 15-year-old girls hospitalized after drinking alcohol at a party in Vallentuna; two were unconscious upon hospital arrival.
- • Two additional youths in southern Stockholm experienced similar symptoms linked to the same alcohol source.
- • Alcohol was purchased from a 'vodkabil' via Snapchat, involving imported bottles not sold in Systembolaget.
- • Blood tests confirmed presence of isopropanol, a toxic solvent causing serious poisoning symptoms.
Key details
On Friday evening, a serious health incident unfolded around Vallentuna, a suburb just outside Stockholm, when several 15-year-old girls were hospitalized after consuming toxic alcohol, allegedly purchased through a 'vodkabil' contacted via Snapchat. Four girls fell ill at a party in Lindholmen, with two found unconscious upon arrival at the hospital; alarmingly, one remained unconscious the following morning. Two additional young individuals in southern Stockholm also displayed similar symptoms and required hospitalization, raising concerns about a broader public health risk.
Stockholm police spokesperson Mats Eriksson confirmed the cases are likely linked to the same source—a 'vodkabil,' which refers to illegal alcohol sales conducted through social media. The alcohol was reportedly sold in one-liter bottles branded with Smirnoff labels but not available through legal retailers such as Systembolaget. Toxicology reports revealed these bottles contained isopropanol, a colorless alcohol typically used as a solvent and disinfectant, not meant for human consumption. Ingesting isopropanol can cause severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unconsciousness, and death. The Swedish Poison Information Centre highlights the heightened dangers isopropanol poses especially to children.
Police investigations are ongoing, focusing on suspected illegal distribution and endangerment. No arrests have yet been made, and authorities are urging caution about purchasing alcohol via unofficial channels. These incidents highlight the risks posed by unregulated homemade alcohol, emphasizing the need for public awareness and safety measures to prevent further poisonings.
This alarming case spotlights the dangers of toxic alcohol circulating in Stockholm through illicit social media networks, with the health of young people especially at risk. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as they work to trace the origin of the contaminated alcohol bottles and prevent further harm.