Australia has warned tourists not to drink certain types of alcohol in Laos, after a series of deaths from suspected methanol poisoning.
Australians should avoid drinking Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whiskey “due to serious safety concerns”, Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the travel advisory website on Friday.
They added that Lao authorities have banned the sale and consumption of these two products due to concerns that they pose health risks. BBC has contacted the Lao government for confirmation.
Reports suggest that six people died earlier this month in the Laotian town of Vang Vieng drank locally produced vodka.
Noting the deaths, Australia’s tourism advisory body said travelers should “be alert to potential risks, particularly with alcoholic beverages including cocktails”.
Among those killed in Vang Vieng were two Australians, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 years old. All stayed at Nana Backpackers motel.
Eight employees were arrested Tuesday but have not yet been charged.
The owners of the hostel, which has since closed, have previously denied serving illegal alcohol.
Australian victim’s family called on the Lao government to continue pursuing the case.
Jones’ father Mark told reporters earlier: “I’m happy to hear that there has been some movement through Laos – we cannot let our daughters go through and this continues to happen ”.
The remaining four victims were identified as Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from England; James Louis Hutson, American, 57 years old; and Danish citizens Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21.
It is unclear how many people are sick due to suspected poisoning in Vang Vieng.
News reports say the tourists may have been drinking alcohol impregnated with methanola toxic industrial chemical.
This colorless and odorless substance is often used in bootleg alcohol and medical experts say drinking just 25ml of it can be fatal.
The UK’s Overseas Development and Commonwealth Office has also updated its travel advice to reflect the dangers of methanol poisoning in Laos, warning that the substance has been used to produce counterfeit goods. famous alcohol brands.
