A suspected methanol poisoning outbreak in Vang Vieng, Laos, has claimed its fourth victim, 19-year-old Australian tourist Bianca Jones. Her family confirmed her death on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the US State Department reported the death of an American man in the same town. Last week, two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, also died under similar circumstances.
Authorities are investigating the deaths, with reports suggesting that the victims may have consumed methanol-laced drinks, a toxic substance often found in illegal alcohol.
Tourists hospitalised
In addition to the fatalities, several other tourists have fallen ill. Holly Bowles, a close friend of Jones, is on life support in a Bangkok hospital. A British woman and a Dutch tourist are also receiving medical treatment.
New Zealand’s foreign ministry told local media that one of their citizens was also unwell due to suspected methanol poisoning. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed condolences to Jones’s family, describing the incident as “every parent’s worst fear”. He also shared his hopes for Bowles’s recovery.
Police investigate local hostel in Laos
Vang Vieng, a riverside town in central Laos, is a popular destination for young Western backpackers exploring Southeast Asia. It lies along the Banana Pancake Trail, a well-known backpacking route through Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Jones and Bowles had been staying at Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, which is now under police investigation. The hostel’s manager revealed that over 100 guests, including the two Australians, had been served free shots of Lao vodka during their stay.
No other guests have reported health issues, but the hostel has since suspended its free drink offerings.
Methanol poisoning: a growing concern
Methanol, a highly toxic substance, is sometimes added to alcohol as a cheaper alternative to ethanol. Consuming methanol can cause severe poisoning, leading to illness or death.
Similar cases of methanol poisoning have caused mass fatalities in countries like India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, though such incidents rarely affect tourists.
Australian, New Zealand, and UK authorities have issued travel warnings, urging caution when consuming alcohol in Laos. Investigations into the cause of the deaths and illnesses are underway.
(With inputs from BBC)
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