Sixth Foreign Tourist Fatality in Laos Linked to Suspected Methanol Poisoning

The death of a second Australian teenager from suspected methanol poisoning has raised the total number of foreign tourists who have reportedly died after consuming contaminated alcohol in Laos to six. Holly Bowles, aged 19, passed away, with her family stating they confirmed her death with “broken hearts” over a week after she became unwell in the tourist destination of Vang Vieng. Her friend, Bianca Jones, also 19, and Simone White, a 28-year-old British lawyer from south-east London, were confirmed deceased on Thursday. An American man, whose name has not been released, and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also counted among those affected by the suspected poisoning, which is thought to be linked to illicitly produced alcohol. In a statement issued to the media on Friday, Holly’s family expressed that they found solace in knowing she had brought so much “joy and happiness to so many people”. They further stated that she had been living “her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences” at the time she fell ill. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong commented: “All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles. I offer my deepest sympathies to her family and friends.” Holly and Bianca were transported to a hospital on Wednesday, November 13, after they did not depart from their accommodation in the small, riverside community of Vang Vieng, situated approximately two hours north of the capital city, Vientiane. Reports from news outlets and witness accounts indicate that the tourists might have ingested alcohol contaminated with methanol, a lethal compound frequently present in illegally produced alcoholic beverages. According to medical experts, consuming as little as 25 millilitres of methanol can prove fatal, yet it is occasionally incorporated into beverages due to its lower cost compared to ethanol. Christer Hogstrand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology at King’s College London, noted that it is also “not uncommon in home-distilled alcohol”. He elaborated: “Methanol is like the alcohol in our drinks – colourless and odourless – but its impact on humans can be deadly. It has a different carbon atom structure which completely changes how humans process it in the body, leading to these potentially fatal consequences.” On Wednesday, the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) revised its travel guidance to highlight the risks of methanol poisoning in Laos. It recommends that tourists only purchase alcoholic drinks from authorized vendors and seek immediate medical attention if they suspect poisoning. The exact location where any of the individuals who became ill or died were poisoned remains unknown. Symptoms of illness can manifest up to 24 hours later in victims. The Nana Backpacker Hostel, where the Australian teenagers had been accommodated, stated that it distributed complimentary shots to approximately 100 guests the night before. However, the hostel’s manager informed the Associated Press news agency that no other guests had reported feeling unwell. The manager of the hostel is among several individuals who have since been taken into custody for police questioning. Hostelworld, an online booking platform, announced in a statement that it has delisted Nana Backpacker Hostel from its service and has reached out to all customers in Vang Vieng and nearby regions. It further stated that it was advising all travelers in the vicinity to “exercise caution” when drinking alcohol and to “only purchase products from reputable vendors”. Limited information has surfaced regarding any of the other victims and the places they might have visited. Simone White, a lawyer residing in Orpington, was reportedly on a trip with a group of companions. In a statement, her parents conveyed that they were “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter”. “Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful energy and spark for life. She was a soul who gave so much to so many and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues.” They also added that she had been “taken from us too soon” and would be “sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family”. The statement concluded: “Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.” Her legal firm, Squire Patton Boggs, characterized Ms. White as “a talented colleague with a bright future ahead of her”. “Our thoughts go out to all of Simone’s family, friends, and those colleagues and clients who had the privilege to work with and know Simone.” Australia is urging authorities to maintain transparency regarding their inquiry into the occurrence. Officials from New Zealand and the Netherlands have also indicated that they are tracking incidents involving their respective citizens. The New Zealand government informed the BBC that one of its nationals was suspected of having experienced methanol poisoning in Laos. Vang Vieng serves as a central point for backpackers journeying throughout Southeast Asia. It is known for the Banana Pancake Trail, a well-frequented backpacking route that covers Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Natasha Moore, a 22-year-old solo backpacker from Manchester, informed the BBC that she canceled her reservation at the Nana Backpacker Hostel upon learning of the fatalities. Ms. Moore stated that among the backpackers she encountered in the country, “the general consensus is we’re all just really scared”. Ms. Moore mentioned that she has been offered complimentary drinks, including shots, during her travels in Southeast Asia, but would now only consume those that are sealed at the time of purchase. She further commented: “Finding out that people pass away from just trying to enjoy themselves is just heartbreaking and it could have been any one of us.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.