Good evening, folks! Tonight, we’re tackling a rather… sobering topic. (pauses for comedic effect) Sorry, had to. Six tourists, including a British woman, have died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Laos, isn’t that where all the cool kids go to get away from it all?” (in a sarcastic tone) Yeah, well, it seems they got away from their lives, literally.
Let’s start with the facts. Simone White, a 28-year-old from Orpington, Kent, was one of the victims. Her parents have released a statement saying they’re “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind, and loving daughter.” (pauses for a moment) Ah, the classic “she was a lovely person” line. You know, the one that’s always followed by “and she loved ponies.” (chuckles)
But seriously, folks, this is a tragedy. The other victims include an American, two Danish citizens, and two Australians – Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 and from Melbourne. It’s alleged that they consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which, as we all know, is not exactly the best way to get a buzz. (smirking) I mean, who needs a hangover when you can have a coma, right?
Now, the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where the incident occurred, has been closed while the police investigate. The manager, Duong Duc Toan, claims that the two Australians had joined over 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka, which, apparently, is the local equivalent of a welcome mat. (smirks) “Hey, come on in, have a drink… and possibly die!”
But here’s the thing – it’s not clear when or where the tainted drinks were consumed. (raises an eyebrow) Ah, the old “it was the vodka, I swear” defense. (chuckles)
The Laos foreign ministry has promised to “conduct investigations to find causes of the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law.” (in a mock-serious tone) Oh, I’m sure they’ll get right on that. I mean, it’s not like they have better things to do, like… I don’t know… running a country or something.
In the meantime, the UK, US, and Australia have warned tourists to be cautious when consuming drinks in Laos. (smirks) Yeah, because nothing says “fun vacation” like the risk of poisoning. (laughs)
And finally, a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise awareness about methanol poisoning, in memory of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles. (smiles) Ah, the power of crowdfunding – because what’s a tragedy without a good fundraising campaign?
Well, that’s all for tonight, folks. Remember, when in Laos, always drink responsibly… and by “responsibly,” I mean “not at all.” (winks) Cheers!
A group of eight staff members, aged between 23 and 44, from the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, have been detained by police for investigation, following the tragic deaths of six tourists, including a British woman, due to suspected methanol poisoning.
The victims, who died after consuming drinks tainted with methanol, a toxic substance sometimes used as a cheaper alternative to alcohol, have been identified as Simone White, a 28-year-old from Orpington, Kent; two Danish citizens; two Australians, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19 and from Melbourne; and a 56-year-old US citizen.
Simone White’s parents expressed their devastation, stating that they were “heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful, kind, and loving daughter.” They also thanked the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for their support during this difficult time.
The FCDO has confirmed that they are “supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities” and are also providing consular assistance to other British nationals being treated in hospital, as well as their families, following the incident.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel, a popular destination among backpackers, has been closed while police continue their investigation into the suspected methanol poisonings.
According to the hostel’s manager, Duong Duc Toan, the two Australian victims, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, had participated in a free vodka tasting event at the hostel, along with over 100 other guests, two days before their death.
However, it remains unclear at what point the women may have consumed the tainted drinks, as Toan added that no other guest reported any issues, and the women had gone out for a night on the town, returning in the early hours of the morning.
Laos’ foreign ministry has issued a statement, ensuring the government is “conducting investigations to find causes of the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law.”
Following this tragic incident, Australia, the US, and Britain have warned tourists to exercise caution when consuming drinks in Laos, where counterfeit alcohol brands pose a significant problem.
A GoFundMe page, set up in memory of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, has raised AUS$330,000 (£170,000) to raise awareness about methanol poisoning.
Bianca Jones from Melbourne was on a trip to Laos with her friend Holly Bowles
Australian Holly Bowles, 19, became the sixth person to die after reportedly drinking contaminated alcohol
