New Zealanders are being warned to take care when drinking alcohol in Laos after two Australian teenagers suffered suspected methanol poisoning in the Southeast Asian country.
Friends Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles from Melbourne — both believed to be 19 — were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel when they fell critically ill last week after suffering suspected methanol poisoning.
The pair are now on life support in separate Thai hospitals. There were also reports two Swedish nationals died and others too fell sick.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has updated its advisory for the country – and also said a Kiwi in Laos “may” have suffered methanol poisoning.
“The New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok (which has responsibility for Laos) has been contacted by one New Zealander who was unwell and may be a victim of methanol poisoning,” a MFAT spokesperson said this afternoon. The ministry confirmed the New Zealander was in Laos.
“We have updated our travel advisory for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks.
“Travellers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances.
“Know the signs of methanol poisoning and seek immediate medical attention if poisoning is suspected.”
Tourists warned to take extra precautions
In Laos, Nana Backpacker Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan said the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality, AP reported.
He said hostel staff were told by other guests that the women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital.
He said no other guests reported any issue, adding the women had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.
Toan hoped the investigation would clear the hostel of blame but for now the venue had stopped offering free shots to guests.
Jasmine Antonius, a Dutch tourist who has been in nearby Vang Vieng for three days, said she being cautious with drinks after she heard about the case.
“I think sometimes you’re not really watching how your drinks are being made,” she told AP.
“I feel now it’s a wake-up call for many people since this happened. I hope people would take more precautions because it’s really sad.”
It could be difficult to differentiate between alcohol that was safe to drink and methanol, a colourless alcohol used for industrial purposes, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres.
Australia’s Smartraveller website urged tourists to be on the look-out for methanol poisoning, saying as little as one shot could be fatal.
It warned symptoms appeared similar to drinking too much but could be “stronger”, leading to vision problems including blindness or death.
‘Can’t believe what happened to our angel’
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular assistance was being provided to two Australians and their families in Thailand.
The Jones family said they “can’t believe what has happened to our angel”, according to a statement issued to the Herald Sun.
“Our beautiful Bianca was on a dream getaway with her best friend Holly,” they told the newspaper.
“They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia.
“We are here by Bianca’s bedside praying for her. Please respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
— additional reporting by 1News
