Teens fight for life after toxic vodka shots

[reader]

We recently comments by members about toxic alcoholic drinks routinely served in Cambodia bars. This article as a reminder that bordering Laos shares same problem.

From the Thaiger

Two Melbourne teenagers are fighting for their lives in Thailand after allegedly downing poisoned vodka shots, raising alarm among travellers in the region. The pair, both 19 years old and fresh from university holidays, were rushed to hospital from the Laotian capital, Vientiane, with police suspecting their drinks had been laced with lethal methanol.

Those dreams of carefree travels have quickly turned into a nightmare for the best friends, believed to be Beaumaris Secondary College graduates, as they face a precarious battle for survival. They’re now receiving critical care in hospitals in Udon Thani and Bangkok. One father has rushed to stand vigil at his daughter’s bedside.

The crisis doesn’t end there: two people are feared dead in the local area, and ten more are critically ill following methanol poisoning. Chaos reigns as another traveller, struck down by the toxic wave, reported six individuals were admitted to her hospital in Vientiane, all with methanol poisoning from Vang Vieng, a hot spot for adventurous tourists.

Her group suffered the fallout firsthand after accepting free shots, the disastrous outcome left six of them hospitalised.

A staff member at Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng recalls the group of Aussie teens staying the previous week. The girls ventured out for a lively night only to be found seriously unwell the next morning, requiring immediate hospitalisation.

“I am so sad. They were very friendly.”

Melbourne radio station 3AW Drive host Jacqui Felgate spoke to the father of one of the girls who said his daughter was in “grave” condition. The radio host added a sombre touch to the story.

“I think it’s one of those stories where if you have teenage kids, you go home and hug them a little tighter.”

Methanol, typically an industrial solvent, can be catastrophic if consumed, with just 25-90ml proving potentially fatal. In countries with high alcohol taxes, it’s often illicitly mixed into drinks as a cheap ethanol substitute, warns the Methanol Institute.

Travel insurance agency Cover-More urges caution: “Methanol is highly toxic and can lead to blindness, coma, and death.”

They advise sticking to alcohol from reputable venues and avoiding dubious bucket cocktails and cheap mixes.

Methanol, typically an industrial solvent, can be catastrophic if consumed, with just 25-90ml proving potentially fatal. In countries with high alcohol taxes, it’s often illicitly mixed into drinks as a cheap ethanol substitute, warns the Methanol Institute.

Travel insurance agency Cover-More urges caution: “Methanol is highly toxic and can lead to blindness, coma, and death.”

They advise sticking to alcohol from reputable venues and avoiding dubious bucket cocktails and cheap mixes.

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/melbourne-teenagers-fight-for-life-in-thailand-after-toxic-vodka-shots

 

[floridarob]

Yup, is why I carry my own rum.....very prominent fake alcohol in Thailand and vicinity. Even in Rio recently I bought a bottle of fake Bacardi, since that's the only alcohol I drink, I noticed right away it wasn't right and threw it away.

[Mavica]

Commonplace in Mexico, people die after drinking fake / adulterated liquor provided to wedding receptions and other celebrations. I suspect it's a worldwide problem, such as we're seeing in Thailand.

[reader]

Fourth tourist dies of suspected methanol poisoning 

From BBC

Australian teen Bianca Jones has become the fourth tourist to have died in a suspected mass poisoning in Laos.

The 19-year-old's family confirmed her death to the media on Thursday. Hours earlier, the US State Department told the media that an American man died in the tourist town of Vang Vieng.

Two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, also died last week in Laos, Danish authorities confirmed, declining to share more due to confidentiality concerns. 

The deaths remain under police investigation, but news reports and testimonies online from other tourists suggest they may have consumed drinks laced with methanol, a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol.

Jones's friend Holly Bowles is in hospital on life support, while a British woman is also reportedly in hospital. 

New Zealand's foreign ministry told local media on Thursday that one of its citizens was also unwell from suspected methanol poisoning. It is unclear how many more people have fallen ill.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the department of foreign affairs had confirmed Jones's death.

"Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss," Albanese said on Thursday afternoon.

"This is every parent's very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure."

He said he hoped Ms Bowles, who is currently at Bangkok Hospital, would recover well.

The US State Department said it was "closely monitoring" the situation with regards to the American victim, adding that it was up to local authorities to determine the cause of death.

Australian, New Zealand and UK authorities have each warned their citizens to be careful of methanol poisoning when consuming alcohol in Laos.

[vinapu]

so many sad news, it must be November

[TMax]

Toll is up to 6 now, the other young Australian girl has died.

Holly Bowles has died with her family by her side at Bangkok Hospital after a suspected poisoning incident in Laos.

Holly is the sixth person killed in the suspected mass methanol spiking after her best friend Bianca Jones passed away in hospital yesterday.

[a-447]

Methanol is also mixed with alcohol in Bali. 

Last year a young guy went blind after drinking at a bar on a beach.

[unicorn]

On 11/21/2024 at 1:49 AM, reader said:

...

Australian, New Zealand and UK authorities have each warned their citizens to be careful of methanol poisoning when consuming alcohol in Laos.

What's that supposed to mean? Are there ways to detect this? If not, this "advice" does not seem helpful.

[reader]

1 hour ago, unicorn said:

What's that supposed to mean? Are there ways to detect this? If not, this "advice" does not seem helpful.

It’s the way diplomats say only drink Beer Lao in Laos. 

[Pete1111]

Curious this is only affecting teens.

[reader]

 Backpackers tend to be very young and looking to drink with one another. And they favor low cost hostels.