Fifth Tourist Death in Laos Linked to Suspected ‘Tainted Drinks’

A British lawyer, Simone White, is the fifth tourist confirmed to have died in Laos, Southeast Asia, in what is suspected to be a mass poisoning event. The UK’s Foreign Office verified the 28-year-old’s death on Thursday, stating: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities.” This announcement followed the confirmation of death for 19-year-old Australian national Bianca Jones by her family earlier on the same day. Prior to that, the US State Department informed the media about the death of an American man in Vang Vieng, a tourist town. Last week, Danish authorities confirmed the deaths of two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, in Laos, withholding further details due to confidentiality. While police investigations into these deaths are ongoing, news reports and online accounts from other tourists indicate a possible consumption of drinks containing methanol, a lethal substance frequently present in illicit alcohol. Vang Vieng, a small town situated by a river in central Laos, serves as a popular destination for young Western backpackers exploring Southeast Asia. It is part of the Banana Pancake Trail, a well-known backpacking route that includes Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Holly Bowles, a friend of Ms. Jones, is currently hospitalized and on life support; additionally, a British woman is also reported to be in hospital. New Zealand’s foreign ministry informed local media on Thursday that one of its citizens had also fallen ill with suspected methanol poisoning. The Netherlands’ foreign affairs ministry stated that a Dutch tourist was hospitalized and is in stable condition. The total number of individuals who have become ill remains unknown. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the department of foreign affairs had verified Ms. Jones’s death. “Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss,” Albanese remarked on Thursday afternoon. He added, “This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.” He also expressed hope for the recovery of Ms. Bowles, who is presently at Bangkok Hospital. The US State Department indicated it was “closely monitoring” the situation concerning the American victim, noting that determining the cause of death was the responsibility of local authorities. Authorities from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK have each issued warnings to their citizens regarding the risk of methanol poisoning when consuming alcohol in Laos. Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, where the two Australian women had stayed, informed the BBC that it was closed due to a police investigation. The manager of the hostel informed the Associated Press that the two women were part of a group of over 100 guests who were given complimentary shots of Lao vodka by the establishment. He stated that the pair subsequently left for the evening, and no other guests reported any health problems. The manager expressed his hope that the investigation would exonerate the hostel, but confirmed that they have temporarily ceased offering free shots. In a statement provided to the Australian newspaper the Herald Sun, Ms. Jones’s family conveyed their “deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.” The statement continued, “We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through our grief and begin to heal.” Methanol, unlike ethanol which is the primary component of alcoholic drinks, is poisonous to humans. Illicit liquor manufacturers occasionally incorporate it into their products as an inexpensive method to boost alcohol content. Earlier this year, a minimum of 57 individuals in India perished after consuming liquor containing methanol. Comparable incidents of mass poisoning have been documented globally, from the Philippines to Peru. While it has led to the hospitalization and deaths of dozens in Indonesia over time, it has seldom impacted tourists.