In Laos, a sixth foreign visitor passes away in what appears to be methanol poisoning
The number of international visitors who have reportedly consumed poisoned booze in Laos has now reached six after the death of a second Australian adolescent from suspected methanol poisoning. More than a week after Holly Bowles, 19, became unwell in the tourist resort of Vang Vieng, her family said they were “broken hearts” to announce her death. The deaths of British lawyer Simone White, 28, of south-east London, and her friend Bianca Jones, 19, were confirmed on Thursday.Two Danish women, ages 19 and 20, and an unidentified American male are also victims of the suspected poisoning, which is thought to be related to alcohol obtained illegally.
The idea that Holly had offered so much “joy and happiness to so many people” was consoling, according to a statement sent to the media on Friday. She had been living “her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences” prior to her illness, they added. “The tragic loss of Holly Bowles will be deeply felt by all Australians,” stated Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. I send her family and friends my sincerest condolences. After failing to check out of their hostel in Vang Vieng, a small riverside village located around two hours north of the capital Vientiane, Holly and Bianca were transported to the hospital on Wednesday, November 13.
According to testimonials and news accounts, the tourists might have ingested alcohol tainted with methanol, a lethal chemical frequently present in alcohol obtained illegally. Methanol is sometimes added to drinks since it is less expensive than alcohol, yet even a small amount of it can be fatal. However, it is also “not uncommon in home-distilled alcohol,” according to Christer Hogstrand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology at King’s College London.
“Methanol is like the alcohol in our drinks – colourless and odourless – but its impact on humans can be deadly,” he explained. “It has a different carbon atom structure which completely changes how humans process it in the body, leading to these potentially fatal consequences.”
The location of any poisoning deaths or illnesses is yet unknown. It may take up to twenty-four hours for sufferers to begin exhibiting symptoms. According to the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where the Australian teenagers were staying, about 100 visitors received free shots the night before. However, the management of the hostel informed the Associated Press news agency that none of the other visitors had fallen ill. Since then, the hostel’s manager has been taken into custody so that authorities can question him. Not much is known about the other victims or their possible travel destinations.
According to reports, Simone White, an Orpington resident, was traveling with some companions. According to the website of the international legal firm Squire Patton Boggs, Ms. White practiced general commercial law as well as contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law concerns.
“Simone was a talented colleague with a bright future ahead of her and someone who epitomised our firm values,” the firm said in a statement. “Our thoughts go out to all of Simone’s family, friends, and those colleagues and clients who had the privilege to work with and know Simone. She will be sincerely missed.”
Australia is urging officials to be transparent about the incident’s inquiry. Officials from the Netherlands and New Zealand have also stated that they are keeping an eye on instances involving citizens. A popular destination for backpackers traveling throughout Southeast Asia is Vang Vieng. The Banana Pancake Trail, a well-known backpacking trail that passes through Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, is located there.
