Australian Woman Dies After Drinking Alcohol in Vang Vieng
"Appears to Have Died from Brain Edema Caused by Methanol"
Friend Also on Life Support
A teenage Australian woman who drank alcohol in the famous tourist destination Vang Vieng, Laos, died from symptoms suspected to be methanol poisoning.
On the 21st (local time), according to AFP and AP news agencies, Bianca Jones (19), an Australian woman who was traveling in Vang Vieng and was transferred to a hospital in Thailand, died, and another Australian woman of the same age is in critical condition, the Australian government announced that day. Thai authorities stated that Jones "died from brain edema caused by a high concentration of methanol found in her body."
They stayed at a hostel in Vang Vieng and were transferred to a hospital in Thailand on the 13th after their health deteriorated. The critically ill friend is reportedly on life support at a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.
On the 19th (local time), a hostel manager in Vang Vieng, Laos, is showing the vodka sold there. Two Australian women staying at this hostel showed symptoms of methanol poisoning; one has died and the other is in critical condition. AP Yonhap News Agency
The Australian media outlet The Sydney Morning Herald reported that they drank alcohol at the hostel bar before going out on the evening of the 12th. It is suspected that they consumed alcohol containing methanol there. Methanol is a toxic substance mainly found in cheaply produced counterfeit alcohol. It causes serious aftereffects such as vision loss, coma, and organ damage, and can lead to death. Regarding this incident, the Laos police have detained and are investigating the manager of the hostel where they stayed.
This does not appear to be the first case of death from methanol poisoning in Laos. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that two of its nationals died in Laos in connection with this tourist incident. The U.S. Department of State confirmed that one American died in Vang Vieng. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that one of its nationals is in critical condition in Laos and may become a victim of methanol poisoning, indicating the possibility of more deaths. Additionally, according to Western media including Australia, about 12 tourists in Vang Vieng experienced health deterioration after going out on the 12th.
Regarding this incident, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "We have updated travel advisories for Laos to inform that multiple cases suspected of methanol poisoning after consuming certain types of alcoholic beverages have occurred." They added, "Travelers are advised to be cautious when consuming alcoholic drinks, especially cocktails and beverages made with liquors that may contain harmful substances."
Meanwhile, Vang Vieng is a tourist city in Laos considered a sacred place for backpackers worldwide. It is widely known in South Korea through entertainment programs such as tvN's variety show 'Youth Over Flowers,' attracting many Korean tourists as well.
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