Laos: Australian backpacker dies as countries warn of suspected methanol poisonings in Southeast Asian country

CNN
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An Australian teenager has died and another is fighting for his life after drinking suspected tainted alcohol in Laos, as a growing list of countries warned of more poisonings linked to a tourist town in the Southeast Asian country.

Bianca Jones, 19, had been on life support in critical condition for several days in neighboring Thailand after being evacuated from Laos after a night out. Her friend, Holly Bowles, also 19, remains on life support in a Bangkok hospital, according to CNN affiliate Nine News.

Jones’ death is the latest in a wave of suspected methanol poisonings by foreigners in Vang Vieng, a popular destination for young international backpackers.

On Thursday, the US State Department confirmed to CNN that an American citizen had died in the city. It did not give a cause of death, but said the United States is “closely monitoring the situation and providing consular assistance.”

Denmark’s foreign ministry said two Danish citizens had died in Laos, but gave no further details.

Poisoning from methanol can cause nausea, vomiting and heart or respiratory failure, according to to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The clear liquid is typically used in cleaning fluids, but is sometimes illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheap way to increase their volume.

The extent of the suspected poisonings is unclear and no information has been released by authorities in Laos, a small, landlocked nation that is currently hosting a gathering of Southeast Asian defense ministers along with the US defense secretary.

Several other people are believed to have been affected by tainted drinks.

New Zealand’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to one of its nationals who reported feeling unwell “and may be a victim of methanol poisoning in Laos.”

“Travellers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, especially cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances,” it said.

The British Embassy in Laos said it was providing consular assistance to British nationals “following an incident” in the country.

New Zealand joins Australia, Britain and Canada in updating their travel advice warning citizens to be careful while drinking in the Southeast Asian country.

“In November 2024, several foreigners in Vang Vieng have been victims of suspected methanol adulterated alcohol poisoning,” the Canadian government said. The British Foreign Office said: “There have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic beverages containing methanol.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Jones’ death in parliament on Thursday, saying “our first thoughts at this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss.”

“This is every parent’s worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” he added.

A statement from Jones’ family before her death said: “We want to make sure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through,” according to Nine News. “We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible.”

A major investigation is underway in Laos, Nine News reported.

The Australian teenagers, both from Melbourne, were enjoying a backpacking holiday when they fell ill after a night out in Vang Vieng.

The picturesque rural town in northern Laos has long been a popular backpacker spot. For many years it was known to be a major party destination, known for excessive drinking, easy availability of drugs and river snakes linked to a number of fatal accidents.

In 2012, the government closed down most of the problematic bars and activities and reinvented the city as an eco-paradise and adventure travel center, although its party spirit remains.

The women were staying at a hostel and had allegedly been drinking there and at a nearby bar on November 11, Nine News reported. According to the Associated Press, the women had joined other guests to get free shots of alcohol offered by the hostel before heading out for the night.

After falling ill, the two friends did not leave their room for 24 hours and failed to check out as planned, according to Nine News. They were taken to a hospital in Laos before being transferred to Thailand, where they were treated at two separate hospitals, the AP reported.

It is believed that the women drank alcohol tainted with methanol, although the source of the drinks is unclear.

Methanol can make people feel intoxicated and has been used to make counterfeit copies of well-known alcohol brands or illegal local spirits such as vodka, the UK Foreign Office warned.

Laos, one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, has been hit hard by rampant inflation in recent years. Tourism is an important source of income for the country’s struggling economy.