Among 4 American tourists who died after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos party town

VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) – An Australian teenager died Thursday after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos, which Australia’s prime minister described as every parent’s nightmare. An American and two Danish tourists also died, authorities said, following reports that several people had fallen ill in the town popular with backpackers.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos, for treatment in a Thai hospital. His 19-year-old friend continues to receive treatment in hospital in neighboring Thailand.

“This is every parent’s worst fear and a nightmare no one should have to endure,” Albanese said. “We also take this moment to say that we are also thinking of Bianca’s friend, Holly Bowles, who is fighting for her life.”

They are believed to consume drinks contaminated with methanol, which is sometimes added to mixed drinks at disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause serious poisoning or death.

Phone numbers for the Laotian Ministry of Health did not work and police refused to comment on the incident.

Australia said “several foreign nationals” were also victims of methanol poisoning. The U.S. State Department also confirmed the death of an American in Wang Vieng, and the Danish State Department said two of its citizens died “in the incident in Laos,” but neither commented directly on the connection to the methanol poisoning that killed Jones. .

His daughter was in critical condition and on life support, Shaun Bowles told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday.

“We want to thank everyone back home for the support and love we have received,” he said. “But we also want people to appreciate that right now, we need privacy so we can spend as much time as possible with Holly.”

In a statement to the Melbourne Herald Sun, Jones’ family asked for privacy.

“He was surrounded by love and we take comfort in knowing that his incredible spirit touched so many lives during his time with us,” the family wrote.

“We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love and prayers we have received from across Australia.”

The US State Department said local authorities were investigating the incident and were responsible for providing any details, and that the US was providing consular assistance.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the family for their loss,” the State Department said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press.

Landlocked Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is especially popular with backpackers looking for parties and adventure sports.

Details of the alcohol poisoning began to emerge about a week after two Australian women fell ill following a night out drinking with a group in the remote town on November 13.

Thai authorities confirmed that Jones died of “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol in his system.”

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said after receiving news of Jones’ death: “Spiking and methanol poisoning are very common in many parts of the world.”

“To parents and young people right now, please talk about the risks, please inform yourself, please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy doesn’t happen again.”

New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that one of its citizens in Laos was also unwell and may have been a victim of methanol poisoning.

“We have updated our travel advice for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning following consumption of alcoholic beverages,” New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

“Travelers are advised to be careful about consuming alcoholic beverages, especially cocktails and drinks made with spirits mixed with harmful substances.”

Australia also updated its travel advice, warning that several foreign nationals had fallen victim to suspected methanol poisoning in Laos this month. The United States did not immediately issue an updated travel warning.

On Tuesday, Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel where the two Australian women were staying in Vang Vieng, told the AP that staff were told by other guests that the two women were upset because they did not check out as planned on Nov. 2. 13 and they arranged transportation for them to a hospital.

The women were then flown to Thailand for emergency medical treatment and their parents were flown with them.

“All Australians offer our deepest condolences at this time of heartbreak,” Albanese said.

“Bianca’s trip should have been an enjoyable time and a source of fond memories for years to come,” he said. “It’s a shame it didn’t happen.”

___

The rises were reported from Bangkok. Jutarat Skulpichetrat in Bangkok, Rod McGuirk in Melbourne, Australia, and Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this story.

Related Posts