The sixth visitor to die in a suspected mass poisoning in Laos, Southeast Asia, British barrister Simone White, 28, “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities,” the UK’s Foreign Office said on Thursday confirming her death.
This terrible event coincides with the announcement of the death earlier the same Day of Australian national Bianca Jones, 19 years old. The US State Department said hours before that an American man had died in Vang Vieng, a well-known travel destination in Laos. Danish officials also confirmed the deaths of two women, ages 19 and 20, last week; they withheld more information, claiming privacy issues.
What is methanol poisoning, and why is it fatal?
Authorities are looking at the reasons behind the fatalities. Reports and testimony from other passengers, however, point to the victims who might have been drinking methanol-tainted beverages. Often found in bootleg alcohol, this harmful chemical is occasionally utilized by dishonest manufacturers as a low-cost means of raising alcohol concentration.
Unlike ethanol, the main ingredient in alcoholic drinks, methanol is quite harmful to humans. Early this year, a similar mass poisoning incident in India claimed at least 57 deaths. From the Philippines to Peru, Indonesia has seen methanol poisonings hospitalize or kill thousands; comparable catastrophes have been documented worldwide from Indonesia. Though such events hardly impact tourists.
What is happening at the well-known backpacker destination Vang Vieng?
A popular route crossing Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, the Banana Pancake Trail involves Western backpackers frequenting Vang Vieng, a charming riverside village in central Laos. Over the years, hundreds of visitors have drawn to it based on its reputation for active nightlife and breathtaking scenery.
The family of Bianca Jones said of the 19-year-old that she was “kind, adventurous, and deeply loved.” Her bereaved family said, in a statement, “We kindly ask for privacy as we negotiate our loss and start to recover. We sincerely thank you for the prayers, love, and great support we have gotten from throughout Australia.
Holly Bowles, the friend of Jones, is still on life support in Bangkok Hospital. Speaking of the dire circumstances, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “Our first sympathies at this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. Every parent’s biggest fear and a nightmare no one should have to go through is this one.” He hoped Ms. Bowles would recover.
How far has the influence gone?
The crisis spans Australia and the UK. The foreign ministry of New Zealand verified that one of its people is sick from suspected methanol poisoning. Concurrently, the Netherlands’ foreign affairs ministry reported that a Dutch visitor is stable following hospitalization. It is yet unknown how many more tourists the epidemic has affected.
Emphasizing that local authorities will finally decide the cause of death, the US State Department said it is “closely monitoring” the circumstances of the American casualty.
In what part does the hostel assist in the investigation?
A well-known hostel in Vang Vieng, where Jones and her buddy stayed, has become the center of the research focus. The hostel manager clarified that the two Australian women were among over a hundred visitors who got complimentary Lao vodka shots. The management also mentioned that the couple subsequently left for the evening and that none of the other visitors complained about health problems.
Since then, the hostel has stopped providing free shots pending police inquiry. The manager said, “We hope the inquiry will clear our name.”
How Should Visitors Remain Safe?
Authorities from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK have warned their nationals of the dangers of methanol poisoning resulting from alcohol use in Laos.
Travelers have been warned to be careful and alert when buying alcohol in the area, especially from street sellers or smaller businesses where the source of the liquor may be unknown or uncontrolled.
Why Is Methanol Poisoning Still a Threat?
Although methanol poisoning is not a recent problem in Southeast Asia, its fatal toll is rising. Earlier incidents in nations including India, Indonesia, and Peru highlight the continuing risks associated with unchecked alcohol manufacture. But this flood of tourist deaths in Laos has raised global attention and spurred demands for more responsibility and control in the local alcohol business.
The families and friends of the victims are left to grieve their loved ones as inquiries go on, negotiating the grief of young lives cut short by avoidable event
