Mass Poisoning Event - Laos * Two Australian teens among 6 dead

[Kurve]

Two Australian teens both 19yo, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones are on life support after a suspected mass poisoning of drinks in Van Vieng, Laos. At least ten have been hospitalised.

The suspected methanol poisoning is believed to have claimed the lives of at least three people — two Danish women and an American citizen.

Third person dies of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos as two Australians fight for lives

The ABC understands a US citizen is the third person to die after a suspected methanol poisoning at a bar in the tourist town of Vang Vieng in Laos last Tuesday.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Bunk Moreland]

From what I’ve read and heard, a lot of cocktail bars in some of these cheaper tourist spots cut their alcohol down with pure ethanol, which is cheaper so improves their margin. Part of the reason why drinks can be so cheap.

It would appear here that somebody at this bar has used methanol instead of ethanol. Small difference in name, huge difference in how it affects the body. While you wouldn’t want to be drinking it straight, ethanol is the basis of most drinking alcohol. Methanol is highly, highly toxic.

Could’ve happened to anybody who happened upon this bar on this date.

Shocking stuff.

 

[faible]

Unfortunately Bianca Jones has also passed away

 

[CD Xbow]

Sadly, one of the teen girls, Bianca Jones, poisoned with Methanol in Laos has just died.

Melbourne teen Bianca Jones dies, Holly Bowles still fighting for life after methanol poisoning in Laos

Thai police have confirmed the death of Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones, who became ill after drinking tainted alcohol during a backpacking holiday in Laos.

www.abc.net.au

My sincere condolences to her family. I will light a candle for her tonight.

 

[Irma]

An absolute nightmare. Those poor families. Worst thing is, nothing will be done this time either, and it will just keep on happening.

 

[jason_recliner]

Who are these girls (i.e. who are their parents)? Why is this story on every news bulletin everywhere in this country?

 

[kaiserchief13]

What are the police doing in Laos? They going to investigate this?

 

[CD Xbow]

Who are these girls (i.e. who are their parents)? Why is this story on every news bulletin everywhere in this country?

Because they are 2 young women from Beaumaris, who through no fault of their own, have been poisoned in a most horrible way doing something many, perhaps even most Australians do - taking a holiday in SE Asia. They could be any one of us. Also anyone who is a parent can tell you how scary it is when your children travel and can empathise with the plight of the families.

What are the police doing in Laos? They going to investigate this?

I'm sure they will. Getting bad for business now. Other than Bianca, I think there have been another 4 deaths from Methanol in the area of late.

The Conversation has a pretty good article on methanol poisoning. Unfortunately we can't tell it's presence in alcoholic drinks.
https://theconversation.com/what-is-methanol-how-does-it-get-into-drinks-and-cause-harm-244151

My rule #17 for a happy (and long) life is don't drink mixed drinks when you travel in dodgy places. this is mentioned in the article.

 

[jason_recliner]

Because they are 2 young women from Beaumaris, who through no fault of their own, have been poisoned in a most horrible way doing something many, perhaps even most Australians do - taking a holiday in SE Asia. They could be any one of us. Also anyone who is a parent can tell you how scary it is when your children travel and can empathise with the plight of the families.

Yeah, it's awful, no doubt. Whenever I and my mates were poisoned in SE Asia we weren't front and centre of every news service.

 

[CD Xbow]

Yeah, it's awful, no doubt. Whenever I and my mates were poisoned in SE Asia we weren't front and centre of every news service.

Did you die?

 

[kaiserchief13]

On another note in China nightclubs (well in big cities anyway) they offer (well they did circa 2017 anyway) free spirits to westerners. After a few nights out there I thought I was having a heart attack so I'm pretty sure their "spirits" were probably something like this as well

 

[jason_recliner]

Did you die?

You think every time a tourist dies in SE Asia it's the top news story?

 

[CD Xbow]

You think every time a tourist dies in SE Asia it's the top news story?

You really don't get it.

 

[jason_recliner]

You really don't get it.

No, I really don't. It's an awful tragedy and my heart goes out to their families and friends. I'm surprised it was deemed the most newsworthy event yesterday.

 

[MisterMarcus]

Yeah, it's awful, no doubt. Whenever I and my mates were poisoned in SE Asia we weren't front and centre of every news service.

I bet you have EDGELORD2008 written on your forehead in sharpie

 

[BomberManU]

Having never travelled to SE Asia, are tourists given warnings about these sort of things by the Aus government? Do the local government address it at all?

 

[MSB ROYS]

Having never travelled to SE Asia, are tourists given warnings about these sort of things by the Aus government? Do the local government address it at all?

Not until the last few days when Smart Traveller was updated to include a warning.

 

[JackNah_8]

Another death due to alcohol poisoning

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/third-suspected-death-in-the-laos-mass-methanol-drink-poisoning-tragedy-in-laos/news-story/cf8aa8e80d4473a0e41d097f023dfbe8

 

[Jatz]

Another death due to alcohol poisoning

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/third-suspected-death-in-the-laos-mass-methanol-drink-poisoning-tragedy-in-laos/news-story/cf8aa8e80d4473a0e41d097f023dfbe8

Interesting the link says "third" suspected death. They're up to five deaths now.

Have read that the damage from methanol poisoning is irreversible as well. I don't think that bodes well for Holly Bowles but am really hoping she'll pull through.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

No, I really don't. It's an awful tragedy and my heart goes out to their families and friends. I'm surprised it was deemed the most newsworthy event yesterday.

Australians dying overseas, particularly in questionable circumstances, is always big news. Dunno what you’re on about.

 

[jason_recliner]

Australians dying overseas, particularly in questionable circumstances, is always big news. Dunno what you’re on about.

~2,000 Australians died overseas in 2023. Regardless, we can all agree this is tragic. Methanol-laced booze is unfortunately very common in Thailand and other places popular with party-goers.

 

[Bostonian]

~2,000 Australians died overseas in 2023. Regardless, we can all agree this is tragic. Methanol-laced booze is unfortunately very common in Thailand and other places popular with party-goers.

So maybe if it's ran as the top story the word spreads a lot better to be careful with this issue when OS.

I'm betting the vast majority of people didn't even know this was a thing.

Have the story buried deeper into the news cycles and many people won't get that warning.

 

[Pamcake1]

In Mexico 4 years ago 70 people died in a methanol poisoning in one day.
This is far more common than people would know and is becoming more so.
In Mexico, it's the distributers of alcohol that are doing 'fake' name brands. Doctoring spirits to stretch the volume and make profit. The bottles all look fine, sealed etc. This also happens in Asia. It's all about profit in the end.
The USA has had warnings for their travelling youth for quite some time to avoid drinking these concoctions.
Australians who have travelled extensively know to be wary. Young travellers of course don't know the pitfalls of travelling and its danger. Whether that be being 'mickey finned', motorcycle/scooter accidents, etc etc.
It has always been the case that a lot of Australians in their naivety when travelling, think that countries work like in Australia, whether it be drug or decency' laws, poisonings or rip offs.
These bad things can happen to anyone anywhere of course.
The extensive press coverage of this serves as a 'be warned' tale and it is truly horrific. It is no suprise that it is getting the coverage it is.

 

[jason_recliner]

In Mexico 4 years ago 70 people died in a methanol poisoning in one day.
This is far more common than people would know and is becoming more so.
In Mexico, it's the distributers of alcohol that are doing 'fake' name brands. Doctoring spirits to stretch the volume and make profit. The bottles all look fine, sealed etc. This also happens in Asia. It's all about profit in the end.
The USA has had warnings for their travelling youth for quite some time to avoid drinking these concoctions.
Australians who have travelled extensively know to be wary. Young travellers of course don't know the pitfalls of travelling is danger. Whether that be being 'mickey finned', motorcycle/scooter accidents, etc etc.
It has always been the case that a lot of Australians in their naivety when travelling, think that countries work like in Australia, whether it be drug or decency' laws, poisonings or rip offs.
These bad things can happen to anyone anywhere of course.
The extensive press coverage of this serves as a 'be warned' tale and it is truly horrific. It is no suprise that it is getting the coverage it is.

My local convenience store in KL had small bottles of 'whisky' for around $2-3. It probably wasn't great whisky.

 

[Irma]

Young travellers of course don't know the pitfalls of travelling is danger. Whether that be being 'mickey finned', motorcycle/scooter accidents, etc etc.

It has always been the case that a lot of Australians in their naivety when travelling, think that countries work like in Australia, whether it be drug or decency' laws, poisonings or rip offs.
These bad things can happen to anyone anywhere of course.
The extensive press coverage of this serves as a 'be warned' tale and it is truly horrific. It is no suprise that it is getting the coverage it is.

Agreed. I think the more press coverage the better, as it is getting young people talking about the fact that this even happens, and that can only be a good thing. When my daughter was travelling in s/e Asia this was one of my biggest fears for her and her friends. We talked to her about no carrying anyone else’s bag under any circumstances, no getting on the back of a motorbike or mo-ped, and only buying drinks in sealed bottles or cans. But I know they broke that last rule, as the drink prices were so, so cheap and first one free at some places, that’s how they get them in. So if this story being in the news prompts any future young travellers to say “hangon a minute…” before ordering a cocktail, then good.


(sorry, I messed up the quoting and don’t know how to fix it)