The Laotian government has officially acknowledged on Saturday, a mass poisoning incident that has claimed the lives of at least six tourists, promising to hold those responsible accountable.
The victims include two Australian teenagers and a British woman, who are believed to have died from methanol poisoning after consuming contaminated alcohol in Laos.
An American man and two Danish tourists also lost their lives, though the exact causes of their deaths have not yet been confirmed.
A New Zealander has also fallen ill. In a brief statement to the media, the government expressed its grief, stating it was “profoundly saddened over the loss of lives of foreign tourists” in the town of Vang Vieng. Condolences were extended to the victims’ families, and officials assured the public that investigations are underway.
“The Government of the Lao PDR has been conducting investigations to find causes of the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement read.
Laos, a one-party communist state known for its strict control of information, has released limited details about the case. While police have confirmed detaining several individuals, no further updates have been provided.
Uncertainty remains about the total number of affected tourists and the origins of the methanol-laced drinks.
Methanol, a toxic alternative to ethanol, is sometimes added to alcohol in unregulated establishments to cut costs. It can also result from improper distillation of homemade liquor, potentially contaminating drinks served in bars.
On Friday, the US State Department issued a health alert to its citizens travelling in Laos, warning of “suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, possibly through the consumption of methanol-laced alcoholic drinks.”
Similar advisories have been issued by other nations. Among the victims are Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, who died in Thai hospitals after being evacuated from Laos for emergency treatment.
Thai authorities confirmed Jones’ death resulted from “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system.”
The two Australians were discovered unwell in their room at the Nana Backpacker Hostel on 13 November after failing to check out. Another victim, identified by the UK Foreign Office as 28-year-old British citizen Simone White, also lost her life.
Vang Vieng, a popular destination for backpackers drawn to its vibrant nightlife and adventure sports, is located in Laos, one of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries.
The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns surrounding unregulated alcohol in tourist hotspots.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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