Two tourists, a British woman and a German woman, have tragically died after suspected pesticide poisoning in Sri Lanka.
The pair were staying at the Miracle Colombo City hostel when the incident occurred, according to Sri Lankan police.
The women fell ill following the fumigation of their room to treat a bedbug infestation.
Ebony McIntosh, 24, a social media manager from Derby, UK, was taken to hospital after feeling unwell on Saturday. Nadine Raguse, 26, from Germany, also became seriously ill.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if pesticides were the cause of their deaths, with an autopsy for McIntosh planned once her family arrives in Sri Lanka.
The hostel has been closed while authorities conduct their investigation. The UK Foreign Office is providing support to McIntosh’s family and is working with local officials.
McIntosh’s family, in their grief, have set up a GoFundMe campaign to fund their trip to Sri Lanka.
In an emotional message on the fundraising page, her family described the shock of her sudden death, expressing their disbelief and sadness.
“We are absolutely heartbroken to share that our beautiful baby girl and big sister Ebony has passed away unexpectedly on the Saturday 1st February 2025, thousands of miles away from home,” McIntosh’s family wrote on the page.
McIntosh had travelled to Sri Lanka on January 28 with plans to explore South Asia, and her family say she was full of excitement for the adventure ahead.
