A troubling incident in Laos has led to the hospitalization of several British tourists after they were allegedly served drinks contaminated with methanol.
Six British nationals were among a group of 14 travelers who fell ill, prompting fears of mass poisoning.
Tragically, authorities confirmed that two Danish women, both in their 20s, have already lost their lives after consuming tainted alcohol during their stay in the region.
The Incident at Vang Vieng
Simone White, a 28-year-old associate lawyer from Orpington, Kent, was one of the British tourists affected by the poisoning.
She and other backpackers had been enjoying their holiday in Vang Vieng, a popular spot for travelers, when they suddenly fell ill last week.
White, who specializes in intellectual property and technology law, had previously studied at Newcastle University and the BPP Law School in London.
While many of the victims had stayed at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, it’s unclear where the poisoned drinks were originally sold.
White’s friend, Bethany Clarke, a healthcare worker from Orpington, warned others on social media, urging fellow travelers to avoid local spirits after six members of their group were hospitalized with methanol poisoning.
Other Victims and Their Families’ Response
In addition to White, two other young travelers—19-year-old Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, also from Melbourne—became seriously ill after drinking what they suspected was poisoned vodka at the same hostel.
The pair, who had been on a gap year across Southeast Asia, had enjoyed a “dream getaway” before their vacation turned into a nightmare.
Both were rushed to hospitals in Thailand for urgent medical treatment.
The Jones family has spoken out, expressing their grief and calling for a swift investigation into the circumstances that led to their daughter’s illness.
“This is every parent’s nightmare,” they said, while also thanking the Australian public for their overwhelming support.
Meanwhile, Bowles’ father, Shaun, shared that his daughter remains in critical condition in an intensive care unit, relying on life support.
Hostel’s Response and Local Authorities’ Investigation
The manager of Nana Backpackers Hostel, Duong Duc Toan, has denied any wrongdoing regarding the vodka served to the tourists.
He insists that the alcohol was purchased from a certified distributor and claims that the shots served to the 100 or so guests that evening were not tainted.
He even drank from one of the bottles himself to demonstrate the safety of the alcohol.
Local authorities are currently investigating the matter, with police ordering bars and hostels in Vang Vieng to halt the sale of drinks as a precautionary measure.
Warnings for Future Travelers
This tragedy has prompted other tourists in the area to be more cautious.
Dutch traveler Jasmine Antonius, visiting Vang Vieng at the time, advised others to be careful about where their drinks are coming from, noting that the incident served as a wake-up call for many people.
The local authorities are continuing to investigate, with the British Foreign Office offering consular support to the affected families.
Ongoing Investigation
Local police have launched an active investigation into the poisoning, while both the British and Australian governments are providing consular assistance to their nationals.
The situation has drawn global attention, with foreign ministries confirming the deaths of two Danish nationals from similar circumstances.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities hope to uncover more details about how the methanol contamination occurred.
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