Authorities in Laos report the death of a sixth foreign tourist, believed to be caused by methanol poisoning, raising concerns about local alcohol safety.
A second Australian teenager has tragically died from suspected methanol poisoning, increasing the number of foreign tourists who have reportedly succumbed to tainted alcohol in Laos to six.
With heavy hearts, the family of 19-year-old Holly Bowles confirmed her passing more than a week after she fell ill in the tourist town of Vang Vieng.
Her friend, 19-year-old Bianca Jones, along with British lawyer Simone White, aged 28 from south-east London, were confirmed to have passed away on Thursday.
A US man, whose name has not been disclosed, and two Danish women aged 19 and 20 are also among the victims of the suspected poisoning, which is believed to be linked to bootleg alcohol.
In a statement issued to the media on Friday, Holly’s family expressed that they found comfort in knowing she had brought “joy and happiness to so many people.”
They mentioned that she had been living “her best life, traveling through Southeast Asia, meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences” when she fell ill.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed deep sorrow over Holly Bowles’ tragic passing, stating: “All Australians will be heartbroken by this loss. My deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends.”
Holly and Bianca were admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, November 13th, after they didn’t check out of their hostel in Vang Vieng, a small riverside town approximately two hours north of Laos’ capital city, Vientiane.
According to news reports and testimonies, it is suggested that the tourists might have consumed alcohol tainted with methanol, a lethal substance commonly present in counterfeit alcoholic beverages.
Medical experts warn that consuming just 25 milliliters of methanol can be deadly. However, it is occasionally mixed into beverages because it costs less than alcohol.
Christer Hogstrand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology at King’s College London, notes that it’s “not uncommon in home-distilled alcohol.”
“Methanol resembles the alcohol found in beverages—it’s colorless and odorless—but its effects on humans can be lethal,” he explained. “Its distinct carbon atom structure alters how it is metabolized by our bodies, resulting in potentially fatal outcomes.”
The location where those who became ill or died were poisoned is still unknown. Symptoms of illness may take up to 24 hours to manifest in victims.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel, where the Australian teenagers were staying, reported that it provided free shots to approximately 100 guests the night before.
However, the hostel’s manager informed the Associated Press that no other guests had fallen ill.
The hostel manager is one of several individuals who have been detained by the police for questioning.
Hostelworld, an online booking agency, announced that it has taken Nana Backpacker Hostel off its platform and reached out to all customers located in Vang Vieng and nearby regions.
The advisory recommended that all travelers in the area “exercise caution” when consuming alcohol and to “purchase products only from reputable vendors.”
Little information has surfaced regarding the other victims and their possible locations.
