Five Tourists, Including Bianca Jones and Simone White, Die from Methanol-Tainted Free Shots in Vang Vieng

Nov 21, 2024, 03:30 PM

A mass methanol poisoning incident in Vang Vieng, Laos, has resulted in the deaths of at least five foreign tourists, including Australian teenager Bianca Jones, 19, and British lawyer Simone White, 28. Several others, including Jones's best friend, Australian teenager Holly Bowles, are hospitalized and fighting for their lives after consuming tainted alcohol believed to have been free shots offered at a local bar. Authorities have confirmed that an American and two Danish women also died from methanol poisoning. The victims fell ill on November 13 after a night out in the popular backpacker hotspot. Methanol, a toxic substance sometimes used as a cheap substitute for ethanol in alcoholic beverages, can cause severe poisoning and death, leading to brain swelling. Thai police and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have acknowledged the deaths, with the Prime Minister calling it "every parent's nightmare." Investigations are underway, with reports suggesting the bar involved may be linked to organized crime, and the owner of a backpacker hostel where some victims were staying has been detained for questioning. Travel advisories have been updated to warn tourists about the dangers of consuming alcohol in Laos, particularly in establishments that offer free or inexpensive drinks.