The authorities of Laos have announced that a New Zealand visitor thought to have contracted possible methanol poisoning there returned home. This is the most recent case in a concerning chain of events whereby some visitors in Southeast Asia have been quite sick or dead. Though the details of New Zealand’s illness are yet unknown, their case raises a rising issue among visitors to Laos, especially in the party town of Vang Vieng, where numerous visitor deaths have lately been connected to contaminated alcohol.
Tainted alcohol in Laos has caused how many deaths among tourists?
Among the visitors who have fallen prey to probable methanol poisoning after consuming alcohol in Laos are New Zealanders. Though it is yet unknown how many others have become sick, authorities verified that at least six persons—two Danes, two Australians, an American, and a British national—had died. Several governments, including New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, have warned their people about the risks of ingesting local spirits in the nation and have responded with increased vigilance.
The increasing mortality toll has also motivated the Laotian government to act. They have pledged a comprehensive look at the causes of the deaths, which has drawn unwelcome attention to Vang Vieng, a little riverfront town in central Laos. Long known for its energetic party scene, Vang Vieng has become a popular stop for backpackers visiting Southeast Asia; nevertheless, the recent deaths have clouded the once-thriving tourism business.
Why Are Visitors of Vang Vieng Now Concerned Regarding Their Safety?
Six visitors, mostly five women, have caused questions among tourists since their deaths; many of them are now avoiding the alcohol-related events that once marked the backpacker experience in Vang Vieng. Reportedly poisoned by methanol, a highly poisonous chemical sometimes added to illegal, manufactured booze, the victims had all slept at the now-closed Nana Backpackers hostel.
“The New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok, which has responsibility for Laos, has been helping one New Zealander who we believe to have been poisoned with methanol in Laos,” the foreign ministry of New Zealand said in a statement. “No further details will be supplied for privacy reasons.” Travelers should also be alert, advised the ministry, “know the signs of methanol poisoning and seek immediate medical attention if poisoning is suspected.”
The most recent victims were 19-year-old Australian visitors Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, who sadly passed away days following their hospitalization in Thailand. Their fatalities were the first connected to methanol poisoning, a chemical molecule that is colorless, flavorless, and quite harmful when taken in large quantities. Later on, Danish officials revealed the death of two young ladies, ages 19 and 20, who had passed away in Vang Vieng earlier this month, as well as the death of a 57-year-old American man under similar circumstances.
The death of 28-year-old lawyer Simone White contributed to the rising count in the UK. White, from London, is thought to have drunk methanol before her untimely demise. She had stayed in the same hostel as the other victims, according to authorities.
How are Laotian authorities looking at investigating the deaths?
Working with local and international organizations, the Laotian authorities have said they are looking into the killings. Following the deaths, several visitors have started to avoid the iconic free shots and beer buckets provided to visitors in Vang Vieng. Many guests have voiced worries about safety, mainly as they now doubt the security of the nearby alcohol supply.
The deaths have rocked us. Now, among the backpacker population, there is a genuine sense of dread, stated one Australian visitor. “I loved Vang Vieng, but today I’m not sure if the risk is worth it.”
As part of the inquiry, the Nana Backpackers hostel where the victims had stayed has shuttered. The proprietors of the hostel have refuted claims of providing illegal booze even after closure. One hostel proprietor remarked in an interview: “We do not serve illegal alcohol.” “We are completely working with the authorities in their investigation; our alcohol comes from licensed vendors.”
How does methanol poisoning affect travelers from Southeast Asia?
Though rare in many areas of the world, methanol poisoning is a significant and persistent problem in Southeast Asia, especially in nations with lax food safety laws. It disproportionately affects underprivileged areas where fake alcohol is sometimes supplied without appropriate oversight. Usually, without any immediate symptoms, methanol is added to bootleg alcohol to boost its potency, but when consumed, it can cause blindness, organ failure, and death.
The recent deaths have highlighted the dangers methanol poisoning presents in areas like Laos, where alcohol is inexpensive and frequently sold unregulated. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs has encouraged its nationals visiting Laos and other Southeast Asian areas to use caution, particularly regarding alcohol consumption in unofficial situations.
Following the sad deaths, the international community is advocating more robust rules and improved application of food safety standards in Laos to stop more instances. Authorities are trying to ascertain the whole degree of the methanol contamination and its source while the inquiry is in progress. Travelers are advised to remain alert and make wise selections while consuming local drinks as the circumstances develop.
