BANGKOK — The Lao government is “profoundly saddened” by the deaths of foreign tourists from drinking alcohol contaminated with methanol and pledged to prosecute those responsible.
Two Danes, two Australians, a Briton and an American have died after visiting Vang Vieng, an idyllic town that is popular with foreign backpackers, and drinking contaminated alcohol.
Lao state-run news agency KPL said on Friday that authorities were gathering evidence and witness accounts following the foreigners’ deaths due to suspected “consumption of tainted alcoholic beverages”.
Counterfeits of well-known alcohol brands and home-made spirits are a problem in Laos.
A general view of the Bangkok Hospital, where an Australian teenager was taken after drinking alcohol contaminated with methanol in Laos and passed away, in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 22, 2024.
Persons:
“, Vang Vieng, ”, KPL, Athit Perawongmetha
Organizations:
Briton, Bangkok Hospital, U.S . Centers for Disease Control
Locations:
BANGKOK, Lao, Laos, Australia, Britain, Bangkok, Thailand, U.S