Key Takeaways:
– A second Australian teenager, Holly Bowles, died after consuming tainted alcohol in Laos, bringing the death toll to six.
– “Several people” have been detained regarding the incident, including hostel manager, but no charges have been filed.
– About a dozen tourists fell ill after the poisoning incident reported on November 12.
– The U.S. State Department issued a health alert warning of potentially methanol-laced alcoholic drinks in Laos.
– Laos government has not released much information about the poisoning cases.
Mass Tourism Poisoning Death Toll Rises
The tragic death of 19-year-old Australian teenager, Holly Bowles, in a Bangkok hospital marked the sixth fatality in a mass alcohol poisoning case involving foreign tourists in Laos. Bowles had been on life support in a critical condition following the incident in Laos over a week ago. Her family shared the heartbreaking news via Australian Network 10 and other local media.
Authorities Response to the Incident
An anonymous officer from the local Tourism Police office in Vang Vieng disclosed that ‘a number of people’ had been held in connection to the case, but no formal charges have emerged. When inquired, the remaining staff at Nana Backpacker Hostel confirmed the manager and owner were among the detainees.
The Global Reaction to the Poisoning Incident
Following a harrowing night on November 12 when around a dozen tourists reported feeling ill, a chain of health alerts have been issued by numerous countries. The U.S. State Department cautioned its citizens traveling in Laos about the ‘suspected methanol poisoning’, particularly through the consumption of adulterated alcoholic drinks.
Remembering the Victims and the Suspected Cause
Besides Holly Bowles, another Australian citizen, Bianca Jones, succumbed to this tragic event in a Thai hospital. British citizen Simone White, an American, and two Danish tourists also lost their lives to the suspected methanol poisoning. Methanol, which is a cheaper alternative to ethanol, is sometimes unscrupulously added to mixed drinks. It can, however, induce severe poisoning or even cause death.
The Mystery Behind the Incident
The government of Laos exercises tight control over information shared with the public, making it challenging to piece together the specifics of the tragic incident. The authorities have remained largely tight-lipped, with the Foreign Ministry refusing to comment. Even the local hospital believed to have initially treated some victims deferred questions to their health office.
The Unfortunate Trend for Backpackers
Vang Vieng, a popular town among backpackers in one of Southeast Asia’s poorest nations, Laos, is infamous for its party scenes and adventure sports. However, this regrettable event raises safety concerns. Neil Farmiloe, proprietor of Kiwi Kitchen restaurant in Vang Vieng, mentioned his customers’ apprehension around this unprecedented incident.
The Tragic Tale of the Two Australian Teenagers
Bowles and Jones, both 19 years old, reportedly fell sick on November 13 after a night of drinking. They were found unwell in their room at the Nana Backpacker Hostel and subsequently transported to Thailand for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, they both tragically succumbed to the poisoning, with Thai authorities confirming Jones’s death due to high levels of methanol in her system. The enormity of this tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers lurking in even the most joyous of celebrations.