27-11-2024 (VANG VIENG) In a significant development regarding the tragic deaths of six foreign tourists in Laos, authorities have detained eight staff members from the Nana Backpacker Hostel in connection with suspected methanol poisoning, local media reports.
The detained individuals, all Vietnamese nationals ranging in age from 23 to 44, were taken into custody on Monday by Vang Vieng police, according to the Laotian Times. This follows the earlier detention of the hostel’s Vietnamese manager and owner for questioning.
The investigation centres on the deaths of two Australian teenagers, a British woman, an American man, and two Danish women. Reports indicate that at least five of the deceased had stayed at the establishment, where free alcoholic shots were allegedly distributed to guests.
According to earlier statements by the hostel manager to the Associated Press, the Australian victims had participated in a gathering where complimentary drinks were served to more than 100 guests before heading out for the evening. However, the manager denied receiving any complaints from other patrons.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among Western nations, prompting several countries to issue urgent warnings about the dangers of consuming potentially tainted alcohol in Laos. A third Australian tourist affected by the incident is reportedly recovering in hospital, according to Nine News.
The Lao News Agency (KPL) has attributed the fatalities to “the consumption of tainted alcoholic beverages,” though authorities have yet to provide details about how contaminated alcohol might have entered the supply chain.
In the absence of comprehensive official information from the typically reserved communist state, fellow travellers have initiated their own investigations. An anonymous source told reporters they had conducted an informal survey among tourists who had experienced similar symptoms of methanol poisoning, with many reporting illness after consuming drinks at various establishments throughout Vang Vieng.
The tragedy has particularly affected the Australian community, with the bodies of 19-year-old friends Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones recently repatriated to Melbourne. Speaking at the airport, Mark Jones, Bianca’s father, expressed gratitude for government assistance while emphasising the families’ ongoing search for answers.
“We want to grieve. We miss our daughters desperately,” Jones stated following news of the arrests. “I was happy to hear that there’s been some movement over in Laos… I would continue to urge the Laos government to continue to pursue whomever.”
The incident has cast a shadow over Vang Vieng, a destination that has worked to shed its former reputation as a party hotspot following a government crackdown in 2012. The town had successfully rebranded itself as an eco-tourism destination, moving away from its previous association with excessive alcohol consumption and risky behaviour.
Methanol, commonly found in industrial products and cleaning solutions, can be lethal when consumed. Its presence in alcoholic beverages can result from either traditional brewing methods or deliberate adulteration, often motivated by profit.
