Tragic Methanol Poisoning in Laos Claims Five Foreign Tourists
A suspected outbreak of methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, Laos, has resulted in the tragic deaths of five foreign tourists, including British lawyer Simone White, 28, and Australian teenager Bianca Jones, 19. Local authorities have reported that several individuals fell seriously ill after consuming alcoholic drinks that are believed to have been laced with methanol, a toxic alcohol commonly found in bootleg liquor.
The incident initially came to light when Jones and her friend Holly Bowles, also 19, were hospitalised after experiencing severe symptoms following a night out with fellow tourists. Jones sadly succumbed to the effects of methanol poisoning, while Bowles remains in critical condition on life support in a Bangkok hospital.
The deceased also includes two Danish nationals aged 19 and 20 and an American man, all of whom reportedly had been drinking in bars in the popular backpacking town. Witness testimonies and reports indicate that the victims may have consumed free shots of Lao vodka provided by Nana Backpackers Hostel, where some of them were residing.
As investigations progress, authorities in Laos have set up a special task force to examine the circumstances surrounding the poisoning and to trace the source of the contaminated alcohol. Experts have indicated that methanol can be easily added to drinks as a cheaper substitute for ethanol, especially in countries with less stringent alcohol regulations.
Governments from Australia, the UK, the US, Denmark, and New Zealand have issued warnings to their citizens to exercise caution when consuming alcoholic beverages in Laos. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, expressed condolences, stating, “This is every parent’s very worst fear.” The incident has raised significant concern over the safety of drinking practices in Southeast Asia, an area already grappling with reported cases of methanol poisoning among tourists.
Laos methanol poisoning: Fifth tourist dies after 'tainted drinks'
Some suspect they consumed drinks laced with methanol, a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol.
www.bbc.com
British lawyer is fifth person to die in suspected methanol poisoning in Laos
As well as Simone White, two Danes, an American and an Australian have died after incident in town popular with backpackers
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American and Brit among five tourists dead as countries warn of suspected methanol poisonings in Laos | CNN
In a tragic outbreak of suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, Laos, five foreign tourists, including a British woman, have died in recent days,
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5 tourists die from drinking tainted alcohol in Laos: What is methanol poisoning?
Methanol is often deliberately added to alcoholic beverages as a cheaper alternative to ethanol. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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Deaths of at Least 5 Tourists in Laos Raise Alarm About Tainted Drinks
Travelers from the United States, Britain, Australia and Denmark have died in the Southeast Asian nation in recent days. Officials warned of poisoning
www.nytimes.comLaos methanol poisoning death toll reaches five, as Melbourne teenager Holly Bowles fights for life
Holly Bowles, 19, remains on life support with methanol poisoning in Laos after an incident that claimed the life of her friend Bianca Jones. Meanwhil
www.abc.net.au
British woman dies in suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, taking death toll to five
Four other tourists - an Australian, two Danes and an American - have died in the incident in Vang Vieng, a town in Laos popular with backpackers.
www.channelnewsasia.com
‘A terrible and cruel loss’: Melbourne woman dies after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos
Bianca Jones’ family were at her bedside when she died, while her best friend, Holly Bowles, is still fighting for her life in a Thai hospital.
www.theage.com.au
Four dead and more in hospital with methanol poisoning after drinking 'free shots' in Laos
Bianca Jones's family said in a statement they wanted to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we've received
news.sky.com
Melbourne best friends on ‘dream getaway’ before feared methanol poisoning in Laos left them fighting for life
Teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles in hospitals in neighbouring Thailand after incident last week
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