### Methanol Poisoning Linked to Deaths of Foreign Tourists in Laos

The Laos government has vowed to bring those responsible for the deaths of several foreign tourists to justice. Following the suspected cases of methanol poisoning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that an investigation is underway, offering condolences to the bereaved families.

In a statement, the ministry expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives of the tourists in Vang Vieng, about 130 kilometers north of the capital, Vientiane. It emphasized that authorities are working diligently to determine the cause of the incident and to ensure those responsible are held accountable according to the law.

Although the exact number of tourists affected was not provided by the ministry, information from foreign embassies and local reports indicates that at least six tourists have died. Among them, Australian nationals Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, succumbed to the poisoning while receiving treatment in Bangkok hospitals on Thursday and Friday, respectively. The Australian government is urging Laotian authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.

The Laotian Times reported that the victims also included two Danish women, aged 20 and 21, and an American man. The Danish tourists died at a hospital in Vientiane on November 13, while the American victim was found unresponsive in his room in Vang Vieng and was declared dead shortly thereafter.

The U.S. Department of State confirmed that it was aware of multiple cases of suspected methanol poisoning related to alcoholic beverages in Vang Vieng. The U.S. embassy in Vientiane advised American citizens to remain cautious and only purchase alcoholic drinks from licensed vendors.

This incident has heightened concerns as Vang Vieng has long been a popular destination on the Southeast Asia backpacker trail. Laotian tourist police have detained the Vietnamese manager of Nana Backpackers Hostel, where the affected tourists were staying, for questioning, though no charges have been filed to date.

Methanol, commonly used in industrial applications, can be illicitly added to alcohol to increase its potency but poses significant health risks, including blindness, liver damage, and death. The authorities’ prompt response aims to prevent further tragedies and restore safety in the tourism sector.