American tourist among four killed after drinking tainted alcohol in party city Laos

On November 21, 2024By Pranco

VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — An Australian teenager died after drinking tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, Laos, in what the Australian prime minister on Thursday called every parent’s nightmare, and the U.S. State Department confirmed an American also died in the same party city, bringing the death toll to four.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment at a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, is still in hospital in Thailand.

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

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

“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us,” the family wrote.

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

The State Department confirmed to The Associated Press in an emailed statement that an American tourist had also died, but said it had no further comment out of respect for the family.

It said local authorities were investigating and the US was providing consular assistance.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the family for their loss,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Phone numbers for Laos’ Ministry of Health did not work and police declined to comment.

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

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

They are believed to have consumed drinks contaminated with methanol, which is sometimes used as alcohol in mixed drinks at notorious bars and can cause serious poisoning or death.

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

“Excessive drinking and methanol poisoning are far too common in many parts of the world,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said after receiving news of Jones’ death.

“At this time I would like to say to parents and young people: please have a conversation about the risks, please inform yourself, please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy does not happen again.”

New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that one of its citizens also felt unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning. The Danish Foreign Ministry, when asked about the poisoning incident, said on Wednesday that two of its citizens had died in Laos, but declined to provide further details.

“We have updated our travel advice for Laos to reflect that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic beverages,” the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

“Travelers are advised to exercise caution when consuming alcoholic beverages, especially cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may be adulterated with harmful substances.”

The US did not immediately issue an updated travel advisory.

Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel where the two Australian women stayed in Vang Vieng, told the AP on Tuesday that staff were told by other guests that the two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 1 . 13, and they arranged transportation to a hospital for them.

The women were then transported to Thailand for emergency medical treatment and their parents flew to join them.

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

“Bianca’s journey should have been a joyful time and a source of fond memories for years to come,” he said. “It is beyond sad that this was not meant to be.”

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