Fourth Tourist Dies in Suspected Methanol Poisoning in Laos
By NIGPOST News Desk
A tragic case of suspected methanol poisoning has claimed the life of a fourth tourist in Laos.
Australian teenager Bianca Jones, 19, was confirmed dead on Thursday by her family.
Her death follows those of an American man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, in the tourist hotspot of Vang Vieng.
Authorities are investigating the cause of these fatalities, with suspicions pointing to methanol-laced alcohol.
Methanol, a toxic substance often found in counterfeit liquor, has been linked to severe health risks and deaths worldwide.
Jones’s friend, Holly Bowles, remains critically ill and on life support at Bangkok Hospital, while reports suggest a British woman and a New Zealand citizen are also unwell from suspected methanol poisoning.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences, calling the loss “every parent’s worst fear.”
He also extended wishes for Bowles’s recovery and urged caution for travelers consuming alcohol in Laos.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, where two of the victims stayed, is under police investigation.
The manager disclosed that over 100 guests were given free shots of Lao vodka, but no other health issues were reported.
The hostel has since suspended free alcohol offers.
Methanol poisoning from bootleg liquor is a global issue.
Earlier this year, India saw 57 deaths linked to methanol-laced alcohol, and similar incidents have occurred in the Philippines and Peru.
Vang Vieng, a popular destination for backpackers, is now grappling with the fallout from these tragic deaths. Authorities in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK have issued warnings to their citizens to remain cautious while drinking in Laos.
This developing story underscores the dangers of consuming unregulated alcohol in tourist regions.
NIGPOST will provide updates as more information becomes available.
For further details on travel safety and health alerts, stay tuned to NIGPOST.
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