At a well-known adventure destination in Laos, where methanol-tainted alcohol has been linked to a recent wave of poisonings, one American national passed away.
According to the State Department, the U.S. national passed away in Vang Vieng, a backpacker-friendly hamlet north of the capital of the South East Asian nation. We send the family our deepest sympathies on their loss, a representative told NBC News on Thursday.
To show the family respect, they did not disclose the victim’s identity or the reason of death.
They made their remarks when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid respects to Bianca Jones, 19, who passed away in Thailand following her evacuation from Vang Vieng for medical treatment, and her 19-year-old friend Holly Bowles.
In a speech to Australia’s parliament, Albanese stated, “Our first thoughts at this time are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss.” No one should have to live through this experience, which is every parent’s greatest nightmare.
Bowles was battling for her life, he added.
The Associated Press was informed by Thai authorities that Jones’ death was caused by swelling of the brain as a result of excessive methanol levels in her system.
In a statement released Thursday, Denmark’s foreign ministry said that two of its nationals had perished in Laos. When asked if methanol poisoning was the cause of their death, it declined to reply, citing confidentially.
The foreign ministry of New Zealand also reported that one of its residents, who was ill and might have been a victim of methanol poisoning in Laos, had called its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, which also oversees Laos.
Authorities in Laos, one of the poorest nations in South East Asia, have long warned tourists about contaminated alcohol at pubs and nightclubs.
In the past, methanol poisoning has killed a number of tourists who drank beverages containing the chemical, which dishonest bar owners utilize to boost their volume.
After Jones and Bowles became unwell on November 13 during a night out drinking with a party in the isolated town of Vang Vieng, reports of the mass poisoning there started to surface last week.
The kids were sleeping at Nana Backpacker Hostel, one of the most well-known in the area. The manager, Duong Duc Toan, told the AP that the teenagers were ill after they did not check out on their scheduled date of November 13 and that he had made arrangements for them to be transported to the hospital.
He added that no other guests had complained about the hostel’s hospitality, which included giving away free shots of Lao vodka to almost 100 visitors, including the two adolescents. Then, early that morning, Bowles and Jones left and came back.
After being airlifted to Thailand, where her parents rushed in from Australia, Jones remained in critical condition for a few days.
I strongly urge parents and young people to please have a conversation about the hazards, said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in a statement posted on Instagram, expressing her sadness at the incident.
In their most recent travel advise to Laos, Australia and New Zealand are cautioning their people against drinking alcohol.
On Wednesday, the British Foreign Office also released a travel alert for Laos. If offered, especially for free, or while purchasing spirit-based beverages, you should exercise caution. Do not drink if the labeling, taste, or smell appear off, it said.
This has not been the case at the State Department.
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