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Methanol, a highly toxic substance, is sometimes added to intoxicant arsenic a cheaper alternate to ethanol. (Representational record image)
A suspected methanol poisoning outbreak successful Vang Vieng, Laos, has claimed its 4th victim, 19-year-old Australian tourer Bianca Jones. Her household confirmed her decease connected Thursday.
Earlier this week, the US State Department reported the decease of an American antheral successful the aforesaid town. Last week, 2 Danish women, aged 19 and 20, besides died nether akin circumstances.
Authorities are investigating the deaths, with reports suggesting that the victims whitethorn person consumed methanol-laced drinks, a toxic substance often recovered successful amerciable alcohol.
Tourists hospitalised
In summation to the fatalities, respective different tourists person fallen ill. Holly Bowles, a adjacent person of Jones, is connected beingness enactment successful a Bangkok hospital. A British pistillate and a Dutch tourer are besides receiving aesculapian treatment.
New Zealand’s overseas ministry told section media that 1 of their citizens was besides unwell owed to suspected methanol poisoning. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed condolences to Jones’s family, describing the incidental arsenic “every parent’s worst fear”. He besides shared his hopes for Bowles’s recovery.
Police analyse section hostel successful Laos
Vang Vieng, a riverside municipality successful cardinal Laos, is simply a fashionable destination for young Western backpackers exploring Southeast Asia. It lies on the Banana Pancake Trail, a well-known backpacking way done Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Jones and Bowles had been staying astatine Nana Backpacker Hostel successful Vang Vieng, which is present nether constabulary investigation. The hostel’s manager revealed that implicit 100 guests, including the 2 Australians, had been served escaped shots of Lao vodka during their stay.
No different guests person reported wellness issues, but the hostel has since suspended its escaped portion offerings.
Methanol poisoning: a increasing concern
Methanol, a highly toxic substance, is sometimes added to intoxicant arsenic a cheaper alternate to ethanol. Consuming methanol tin origin terrible poisoning, starring to unwellness oregon death.
Similar cases of methanol poisoning person caused wide fatalities successful countries similar India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, though specified incidents seldom impact tourists.
Australian, New Zealand, and UK authorities person issued question warnings, urging caution erstwhile consuming intoxicant successful Laos. Investigations into the origin of the deaths and illnesses are underway.
(With inputs from BBC)
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