Methanol poisoning in Laos: Deaths after adulterated alcohol

Several deaths have been reported after consuming possibly adulterated alcohol in Laos. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Thursday the death of a young woman who suffered alcohol poisoning after a party in the town of Vang Vieng, popular with backpackers.

Bianca, 19, died after being taken to a hospital in neighboring Thailand for treatment. Her friend Holly, also 19, is being treated in a clinic. “This is every parent’s worst fear and a nightmare no one should have to endure,” Albanese said Thursday.

Bianca’s family wrote in a statement that Bianca and her best friend Holly wanted to fulfill a dream with the trip. “They were full of joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them as they traveled through Asia.”

The US State Department confirmed that an American also died in the same city, but did not provide further details. Two Danish tourists are said to have died in Vang Vieng at the same time as the Australian women as a result of drinking adulterated alcohol.

The Danish Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of two citizens to the AP, but was unable to provide further details on the background. According to media reports, they are two women in their 20s. New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry reported Thursday that a person in Laos fell ill and may also have suffered methanol poisoning.

According to media reports, at least twelve people are sick. Most of them were guests of the same youth hostel. Methanol is often used as alcohol in mixed drinks in seedy bars and can cause serious poisoning or death.