Death of tourists poisoned in Laos: adulterated alcohol, “condolences” from the government, investigation… what we know about the tragedy

Free drinks cut with methanol are said to have cost the lives of six tourists and led to the hospitalization of six others in Laos. The vacationers were all staying at Nana Backpackeurs Hostels, a cheap hostel in Vang Vieng, northern Laos. On November 11, they had a drink offered by the establishment's bar before continuing to a nightclub. But the evening, which promised to be festive, took a completely different turn. After feeling unwell, some tourists were hospitalized the same evening and the next day on site and then in Thailand. The two young Australians, having not left their room in the hostel as planned, were rushed to a hospital in Thailand on November 13 by the establishment's staff.

The first died Thursday followed by her friend, aged only 19. “Holly had just lost her best friend Bianca Jones yesterday. All Australians are thinking of these two families,” said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. A 28-year-old British lawyer from Kent, two Danes and an American are among the victims.

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The manager taken into custody

The Australian government has demanded from Laos a “full and transparent” investigation into the circumstances of the deaths of the two young women. The Laotian government said it was “deeply saddened by the deaths of foreign tourists” in a statement and offered its “condolences” to the families of the victims. He confirmed that an investigation is underway “to determine the causes of the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.” The Vietnamese manager of the hostel was taken into custody according to the Laotian tourist police, without any charges being brought at this stage.

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Both the British and Australian authorities have warned their nationals of the risks of methanol poisoning in their travel advice for Laos. However, between its swimming pool, its bar open late and its restaurant, the Nana Backpackers Hostels has favorable reviews on hotel reservation sites. “End your days with free vodka and whiskey,” even specifies the Agoda site according to the daily Libération.

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Frequent poisonings in Asia

Methanol poisoning was immediately reported in the British and Australian media. To lower the price of drinks, methanol, colorless and very similar to ethanol, present in alcoholic drinks, but above all cheaper, is used as a substitute. Used in industry and household products to make antifreeze fluid, windshield washer fluid and even nail polish, this liquid is far from being intended for human consumption.

Thousands of people are victims of methanol poisoning each year, according to the NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Asia has the highest number of victims. Without treatment, poisoning with this liquid leads to a “mortality rate of 20% to 40%”, again according to MSF. Highly toxic, ingesting methanol can also cause blindness or liver damage. In August, the consumption of alcohol adulterated with methanol has already led to the death of at least six people and the hospitalization of 20 others in Thailand.