The incident occurred at the Igra Stolov culinary studio, where guests were enjoying a "cryo-show" performance by a renowned chef, according to The Sun on December 25. Local media reported that the chef prepared eye-catching cocktails with liquid nitrogen, a substance often used in professional kitchens for rapid cooling, but failed to warn about the risks, even encouraging guests to drink.
The guest collapsed after drinking a liquid nitrogen cocktail at a Christmas party in Moscow. Video: *Baza*
The victim was Sergey, 38 years old. Amidst the laughter of those around him, he drank the glass and immediately suffered the consequences. Video footage shows the man clutching his stomach before collapsing right in the middle of the party. Initially, guests continued to laugh, thinking it was part of the performance, until they realized Sergey was in real danger.
At the hospital, doctors determined that the liquid nitrogen caused extremely rapid gas expansion inside his body, rupturing the patient's stomach. They performed emergency surgery to repair the torn internal organ for Sergey. He has since regained consciousness in the intensive care unit (ICU) but remains in critical condition.
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Sergey clutched his stomach and collapsed after drinking a liquid nitrogen cocktail. Photo: *Baza*
Medical experts warn that liquid nitrogen is highly toxic if swallowed. When it enters the body, it rapidly transforms into gas and expands its volume hundreds of times. This sudden expansion creates internal pressure, leading to stomach perforation, internal bleeding, and severe damage to nearby organs. Additionally, its extremely low temperature freezes internal tissues, further worsening the injury.
Drinks prepared with liquid nitrogen are only safe after all the nitrogen has completely evaporated. Even a small amount remaining can be life-threatening if swallowed.
This incident recalls a similar case in the UK in 2015, when a young woman had her entire stomach removed after drinking a Nitro-Jagermeister cocktail containing liquid nitrogen. Currently, the use of this substance in food and beverages is strictly regulated or banned in many countries worldwide.
Binh Minh (Source: The Sun, DM)
