Six Tourists Dead After Allegedly Consuming Alcohol in Laos Hotel
Six tourists have tragically died after reportedly consuming alcoholic beverages in a hotel in Vang Vieng, Laos. The victims, who allegedly suffered from methanol poisoning, include travellers from Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Several other individuals who had similar experiences are currently receiving treatment in hospital. Both local and international authorities are investigating these unfortunate events.
The Victims
The victims include two Australian women, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, who fell seriously ill after consuming shots of local vodka, suspected to contain methanol, at their accommodation in Vang Vieng. In addition to the Australians, a 56-year-old American man and British lawyer Simone White, 28, also died under similar circumstances. Last week, two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, also lost their lives in Laos. The Danish authorities have confirmed these deaths.
Investigations
According to press reports and online statements from other tourists, the deceased may have consumed drinks contaminated with coke-ethanol, a deadly substance often found in counterfeit alcohol. The US State Department has stated that it is “closely monitoring” the situation in relation to the American victims, whilst local authorities are working to determine the cause of death.
The Hotel
The two Australian women had been staying at the Nana Backpacker in Vang Vieng. The hotel’s manager reported that the two women were among more than 100 guests who received free shots of local vodka. The manager, along with several other hotel employees, has been arrested by local authorities. Despite claiming he bought the drink from an accredited distributor and even drinking from one of the bottles to prove that the alcohol was not poisonous, investigations are ongoing.
Vang Vieng: A Popular Tourist Destination
Vang Vieng is a small riverside town in central Laos. It is well-known for the Banana Pancake Trail, a popular backpacking route that crisscrosses Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
