Laos: “City of parties” is targeted on the deaths of tourists from adulterated alcohol

For Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, the two friends from Australia, it was the first long journey, the starting point to explore the world – now the two women have suffered an intolerable death from Like so many 19-year-olds, they were drawn by the romanticism of backpacking in Laos – and generally in Southeast Asia – where food is wonderful, people friendly and landscape amazing. They had “collected enough money after school and university to make their trip abroad, as so many of our children do,” said football team coach Nick Heath. “And they left.” They ended on November 12 in the tributary town of Vang Vieng in central Laos. The two checked-in at the popular Nana Backpacker Hostel – where guests often receive a free shot on arrival. A few days later both were with mechanical support in Thai hospitals. Jones’ death was announced on November 21 and Bowles, one day later. Last Thursday (21.11.2024) the evil ended with the death of a British woman, 28-year-old Simone White. It’s among the BBC. Two women from Denmark, aged 19 and 20, died last week, while his last breath was left by an American. It is not clear how many others have become ill, but an international police investigation on deaths is under way. Much of the control has fallen into the hostel where some of the victims allegedly resided. The girls had taken free shots there before they left for their ride. The manager of the hostel denied his guilt, saying that the same drinks had been served to at least 100 other visitors that night, who reported no problem. The accommodation manager has already been brought in by the police. Mr Heath, who spoke to the media on behalf of the Bowles family, said they knew it was methanol that caused the girls’ illness. But “no one really knows how and where they entered their organization”. The famous city of parties Vang Vieng – a tiny town on the Nam Song River surrounded by limestone mountains and rice fields – is known for its landscape. It is also known as the city of parties – a rumor that Laos officials have been trying to expel in the last decade. Within four hours by bus from the capital Vientián, it has long been a station on the Banana Pancake Trail route for backpacking between Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. In Vang Vieng, guest bunks are advertised at less than 10 euros a night, while a large pitcher of beer can cost half. Drugs such as marijuana are openly advertised in cafes and restaurants. In the early 2000s and 2010s the city was famous for the hardcore parties and as a point for rides with inflatables on the river. But after the injury or death of several tourists, efforts were made to increase security. Terrified tourists Tourists who are still in town now take additional precautions after shocking deaths. Yesterday Friday, 19-year-old Miika, a Finnish backpacker who lived in a hostel just 10 minutes walk from Nana Backpacker, told the BBC that he and his friends had arrived in the city two days ago. Now they only order bottled beers. 22-year-old British Natasha Moore said she canceled her reservation for Nana Backpacker after hearing about the deaths. “It’s so scary, I feel so shocked…” he said in a video at TikTok warning other travelers. “She can’t even count how many free drinks” she had on her trips, but during five nights in Vang Vieng, she and her friends did not have free drinks or alcoholic drinks, except bottled alcohol. “I feel so sad and upset about all friends and family and people who are still in hospital. It’s so unfair, we were just trying to have fun,” he added. “We worked hard to raise money to go on a trip, like it’s something so brave and then something like that can happen.”