Australia: Suspected Methanol Poisoning, Six People Died So Far (image-Pixabay)
Vang Vieng, Australia: Another Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning. The number of foreign tourists who have died after apparently drinking tainted alcohol in Laos has reached six. The latest victim was Holly Bowles, 19. She fell ill in the tourist town of Vang Vieng for more than a week.
Bowles’ friend Bianca Jones, also 19, and British lawyer Simone White, 28, from southeast London, were confirmed dead on Thursday. An unnamed US man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also among the victims of the suspected poisoning, which is believed to be connected to bootleg alcohol.
In a statement released to the media, Holly’s family said they were taking comfort from the fact she had brought so much “joy and happiness to so many people.”
Bowles and Jones were taken to the hospital on Wednesday, 13 November, after they failed to check out of their hostel in the small, riverside town of Vang Vieng, about two hours north of the capital Vientiane.
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Media reports and testimonies suggest that the tourists may have consumed alcohol laced with methanol. Methanol is a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol. It is a colorless liquid that tastes similar to alcohol and can be lethal. But it is sometimes added to drinks because it is cheaper than alcohol.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel, where the Australian teenagers were staying, has said it gave out free shots to around 100 guests the previous evening.
But the hostel’s manager told the AP news agency that no other guests had become unwell. The manager has since been detained for questioning by police.
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From where the people were poisoned or fell sick is not clarified yet. It can take up to 24 hours for victims to start showing signs of illness. Few details have emerged about any of the other victims and where they may have visited.
Australia is pushing authorities to be open about their investigation into the incident. New Zealand and Dutch officials have also said that they were monitoring incidents involving nationals.
(With inputs from agencies)
