A festive corporate Christmas party in Moscow descended into horror after a man was left fighting for his life when a theatrical cocktail containing liquid nitrogen tore his stomach apart.
Theatre of Horror at Christmas Bash
The incident occurred during a swanky office celebration at the Igra Stolov 'Game of Tables' cooking studio. Guests were being entertained by an unidentified 'celebrity chef' who was putting on a dramatic 'cryo-show', preparing flashy drinks using liquid nitrogen.
Witnesses stated that the risks of consuming the substance were not explained to the partygoers. It is alleged the chef encouraged a 38-year-old guest, named Sergey, to drink the cocktail immediately. Amid laughter from the group, Sergey consumed the beverage and moments later was seen clutching his stomach in agony before collapsing to the ground.
Emergency Surgery and Medical Explanation
The reveller was rushed to intensive care where surgeons performed emergency surgery to repair his torn stomach. Doctors later confirmed his condition as serious, though he was reported to be conscious and recovering.
Medics determined that the cause of the catastrophic injury was the liquid nitrogen. When ingested, the substance boils violently at body temperature, turning into gas and expanding hundreds of times in volume inside the stomach. This rapid expansion creates severe internal pressure, leading to rupture, internal bleeding, and tissue damage from the extreme cold.
Experts stress that drinks prepared with liquid nitrogen are only safe once all of the nitrogen has fully evaporated. Swallowing even a small amount of the liquid can be fatal.
A Chilling Reminder of Similar Tragedies
This shocking Christmas party accident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of improperly prepared novelty drinks. It follows the tragic case of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old mother-of-three from Oklahoma, who died in October this year after complications from drinking a margarita allegedly contaminated with industrial cleaner in 2023.
The Moscow party, meant to be a joyful celebration, ended in panic as guests watched medics scramble to save Sergey's life, leaving the festive event in a state of profound shock.
