Two European Tourists Die in Sri Lanka Following Suspected Pesticide Exposure

Authorities are investigating whether fumigation against bedbugs at a Colombo hostel caused the deaths of a British and German traveler.

Ebony McIntosh, 24, from the UK, and Nadine Raguse, 26, from Germany, died after falling ill at a Colombo hostel where pesticides were recently used.
The hostel had been fumigated to address a bedbug issue, and authorities suspect the deaths may be linked to pesticide exposure.
Both women experienced severe symptoms, including vomiting and respiratory distress, before being hospitalized; McIntosh died on February 2, and Raguse on February 3.
A third traveler, reportedly German, remains hospitalized, while police have closed the hostel and launched an investigation into the incident.
Autopsies are planned to confirm the cause of death, and McIntosh’s family has started a fundraiser to bring her remains back to the UK.