Kiwis Cautioned After New Zealander Survives Suspected Methanol Poisoning in Laos

A New Zealander recently returned home after experiencing suspected methanol poisoning while traveling in Laos, highlighting serious safety concerns for tourists in the region.

Authorities in New Zealand have confirmed that a New Zealander who fell ill due to suspected methanol poisoning in Laos has made it back home safely. Though specific details about the individual remain undisclosed for privacy reasons, reports indicate that they are one among several tourists affected by potentially tainted beverages in the region. In recent weeks, six foreign tourists, including two Danes, two Australians, an American, and a British national, tragically lost their lives after consuming drinks believed to contain methanol, raising alarm among international travelers.

The small riverside town of Vang Vieng, once a magnet for thrill-seeking backpackers in Southeast Asia, is now under scrutiny as Laotian authorities promise to investigate the causes behind the recent fatalities. This surge of illness has notably unsettled tourists, particularly women, with five of the six reported deaths involving female travelers. Responding to these events, several governments, including those of New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, have issued warnings to citizens against consuming alcoholic beverages in Laos.

Among the deceased, 19-year-olds Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles from Australia succumbed to their condition shortly after being hospitalized in Thailand. Their deaths marked a chilling turning point in the trend of suspected methanol poisoning. Shortly thereafter, Danish authorities reported the deaths of two young women who had also visited Vang Vieng. There’s an additional case of a 57-year-old American and a 28-year-old British lawyer, Simone White, who both died under similar circumstances. Alarmingly, all victims had stayed at The Nana Backpackers hostel, which has since closed, although its owners denied serving any illegal alcohol.

Due to the steep health risks associated with illicit alcohol consumption, travelers are increasingly hesitant to partake in the free shots and alcohol buckets that once characterized Vang Vieng's nightlife. Many now choose to exercise caution and educate themselves on the signs of methanol poisoning, with New Zealand's foreign ministry urging anyone who suspects poisoning to seek immediate medical assistance. Methanol poisoning is particularly troublesome in Asia, primarily affecting impoverished communities and areas where food safety regulations are weakly enforced.