Methanol tragedy in Laos: Tourists fall victim to tainted spirits
Six tourists from Australia, Denmark, the United States, and the United Kingdom have died in Laos due to methanol poisoning. In response to these tragic events, the country's authorities banned the sale and consumption of vodka and whisky of a specific brand.
29 November 2024 11:18
We reported a tragic series of events that took place in Laos last week. The alcohol poisoning occurred in the tourist town of Vang Vieng, particularly popular among backpackers - young travellers seeking exotic and affordable destinations.
Tragedy in a tourist country
As a result of the alcohol poisoning, six tourists died: two Danish citizens, one American, 19-year-old Australian Bianca Jones and her friend Holly Bowles, as well as 28-year-old Briton Simone White.
According to "The Guardian," in response to these tragic events, the country's authorities have banned the sale and consumption of Tiger brand vodka and whisky, suspecting these products may pose a health risk. Police also detained the manager of the hostel that served guests Tiger brand vodka, along with several employees.
The Lao government assured that those responsible for the tragedy would be brought to justice and offered condolences to the victims' families. However, details of the police investigation were not disclosed for the sake of the case.
World reactions
The governments of other countries have responded to the events in Laos. Australia has issued a warning to its tourists about the "potential risks particularly with spirit-based drinks including cocktails." The UK authorities have advised travellers to purchase alcohol only from licensed outlets and to remain cautious when offered drinks.
According to a British newspaper, despite recent events, the bars in the hill-surrounded Vang Vieng have been full of patrons in recent days. However, most of them have avoided spirits, opting instead for bottled beer or traditional Korean distilled alcoholic beverages.
