Five tourists, including an Australian teenager and two Danish women, have died after drinking allegedly tainted shots at a bar in Vang Vieng, Laos. At least 11 others remain hospitalized, some in critical condition, following what authorities suspect was methanol poisoning in the popular backpacking destination.
A dream vacation turned tragic for tourists in Laos
British lawyer Simone White is left fighting for her life in the hospital, while a 19-year-old Australian became the fourth to die after a mass poisoning in Laos last week. Four people have died so far, and 11 others are still in the hospital after drinking methanol-laced shots at a bar in Vang Vieng, a favorite spot for backpackers.
Families mourn as an Australian backpacker loses her life
Australian PM Anthony Albanese said in Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones passed away after being flown out of Laos to get treatment at a Thailand hospital. “This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” Albanese said.
He added, “We also take this moment to say that we’re thinking of Bianca’s friend Holly Bowles, who is fighting for her life.”
The poisoning incident leaves multiple victims hospitalized
Holly Bowles, 19, is still critically ill in the hospital, along with Simone White, a 28-year-old British lawyer. The poisoning happened on the night of November 12. Two Danish women in their 20s and a 56-year-old American had already passed away before Bianca Jones last night.
Warnings from fellow travelers about local spirits
Simone White’s friend, Bethany Clarke, who’s a healthcare worker from Orpington, warned other travelers in the Laos Backpacking Facebook group.
She wrote, “Urgent — please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.”
Two best friends on a gap year fall victim to poisoning
Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 from Melbourne, also got sick last week while staying at the Nana Backpackers Hostel. The two besties were on a “dream getaway” gap year, traveling across southeast Asia.
Authorities suspect that they drank poisoned cocktails with tainted “vodka” shots while they were in Vang Vieng. After asking the hostel staff for help, they were rushed to hospitals — Jones to Udon Thani and Bowles to Bangkok Hospital.
Families remain devastated and seek answers
Bianca Jones’ parents spoke out on Wednesday, sharing their hope that local police will quickly uncover what happened. They told the Herald Sun, “Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia.”
They called it “every parent’s nightmare” and added, “We want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through. We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible.”
Holly Bowles’ dad, Shaun Bowles, said the family stayed with her every minute they could. Talking to reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday, he said, “Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit, in critical condition; she’s on life support.”
Conflicting claims about the source of the tainted alcohol
Duong Duc Toan, the manager of Nana Backpacking Hostel, told the Associated Press that over 100 guests got free shots of Lao vodka at their bar on November 12, but nobody else reported getting sick. Toan, who served the girls himself, denied it was his Tiger Vodka that made them ill. He said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and insisted that neither he nor his staff tainted it.
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To prove it was safe, he even drank from one of the same vodka bottles used that night. He said Ms. Jones and Ms. Bowles were at the bar from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., each having three drinks mixed with Coke Zero and ice. “Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng,” Toan explained.
What we know about methanol poisoning and its dangers
Methanol is a harmful type of alcohol that smells and tastes just like regular alcohol, and it’s often used in illegal alcoholic drinks. Experts say it first makes people feel drunk, but then, after 8 to 18 hours, more serious symptoms start. The dangerous liquid has a toxic substance called formic acid, which can make a person’s vision blurry or even cause blindness.
Then it goes to the brain, causing confusion, seizures, and sometimes a coma. As the acid builds up in the body, it leads to respiratory failure, kidney failure, and circulatory shock. When someone drinks a fatal amount, it typically results in multiple organ failure and death.
Tourists react to the tragedy and reflect on safety precautions
Jasmine Antonius, a Dutch tourist who had been in Vang Vieng for three days, said she started being more careful with her drinks after hearing about what happened.
“I think sometimes you don’t really watch how your drinks are made,” she said. “I feel now it’s a wake-up call for many people. So I hope people would take more precaution because it’s really sad.”
Ongoing investigation seeks to prevent further tragedies
Local police have started an investigation into the poisoning, and it’s still ongoing. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said, “We are giving consular assistance to British nationals and their families and are in contact with the local authorities after an incident in Laos.”
