Australian Teen Among Six Tourists Dead in Suspected Methanol Poisoning in Laos
An Australian teenager has become the sixth foreign tourist to die in Laos due to a suspected mass methanol poisoning incident. This follows the recent deaths of a British woman, another Australian teen, an American, and two Danish nationals, all of whom reportedly died after consuming tainted alcohol in the popular backpacker town of Vang Vieng. The victims have been part of a growing list of tourists affected by the dangerous substance, prompting several countries to issue warnings about the risks of drinking alcohol in Laos.
Holly Bowles, a 19-year-old Australian, had been on life support in critical condition for several days in Thailand after being evacuated from Laos. Sadly, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away. Her friend, Bianca Jones, also 19, died earlier in the week. Both were reportedly poisoned after a night out in Vang Vieng, which is known for its vibrant backpacker scene. The deaths have highlighted the dangers of drinking alcohol in the region, especially in areas popular with foreign tourists.
The U.S. State Department and other foreign governments have confirmed that their nationals were among the victims, but details about their deaths remain unclear. The Lao authorities have acknowledged the deaths, confirming that at least three of the tourists likely died from consuming contaminated alcohol. Investigations are ongoing, with officials gathering evidence and witness testimonies to determine the cause of the poisonings.
In response to the incidents, the Lao News Agency confirmed that two Danish women and an American had died on November 13 from suspected alcohol poisoning. The authorities are continuing their investigation and have detained the manager and owner of a hostel where some of the tourists had been staying. While no charges have been filed yet, the case has raised concerns about the safety of tourists in Laos and the prevalence of unregulated and potentially dangerous alcoholic beverages in the area.
