“Law enforcement officials in the popular Lao travel destination, Vang Vieng, have apprehended staff members of a hostel favored by backpackers. This action comes in the wake of six tourists tragically losing their lives due to suspected methanol contamination. The incident was widely reported in the media this Tuesday.

The unfortunate victims include two Australian females, a British female, two Danish females, and an American male. Post the incident on November 12, there have been reports of approximately a dozen more individuals falling ill after consuming potentially methanol-laced beverages. Vang Vieng has long been a preferred pit-stop for young, Western wanderlusts.

According to Laopost, a popular news platform, the Nana Backpacker Hostel’s manager, aged 34, and seven of his staff members have been taken into custody. It is known that some of the victims had lodged at this hostel during their stay. Prior reports suggest the hostel has been provisionally shut down.

Although the Lao authorities have not officially ascertained the cause of these tragic poisonings, a Thai medical facility, where one victim breathed his last, attributed it to methanol. This colorless, odorless fluid is often used to enhance the strength of alcohol in beverages, frequently leading to fatal outcomes. The global frequency of massive methanol poisoning is alarmingly high.

There is a lack of clarity surrounding the details of how these tourists ended up consuming the adulterated alcohol in Vang Vieng. It remains uncertain if they all patronized the same establishment.

In response to the incident, local authorities have instructed comprehensive inspections of tourist spots and initiated an investigation. However, according to RFA Lao, proprietors in Vang Vieng have already noticed a decline in tourist footfall.

One local bar owner confirmed seeing a diminishing number of international patrons. She added that foreign visitors have become “much more careful” when frequenting her establishment.

Over the weekend, District Mayor Bounchan Malavong assured that the authorities had promptly responded to the crisis by investigating the matter and implementing safety measures. These include inspections of eateries and entertainment spots to guarantee safety standards and protect the town’s visitors.”

Edited by Taejun Kang.