The Laos government has completely banned a vodka brand following a suspected mass poisoning incident that claimed the lives of six tourists, including a Brit. The tragic event unfolded after the tourists consumed dodgy alcohol shots at a backpackers’ hostel in Vang Vieng, a hotspot for travellers.
It’s believed the shots contained methanol, a lethal chemical often found in counterfeit booze, with as little as 25ml proving fatal to humans. In a warning issued today, health chiefs have outlawed the sale and consumption of two spirits, Tiger Vodka and Tiger whisky, as per the Australian government.
The pair were blacklisted due to fears they pose a “being a health risk”, according to the travel advisory. The advisory reads: “Lao authorities have issued an order prohibiting the sale and consumption of Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky due to their concerns about these products being a health risk. Aussies are urged to steer clear of these products due to these serious safety concerns.”
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The advisory further reveals that the six foreign nationals staying at the Laos resort fell victim to “methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks”.
Officials have warned tourists to be vigilant, particularly when drinking spirit-based beverages including cocktails. For more advice on the dangers of methanol poisoning and drink spiking, see ‘Safety’, reports the Mirror.
Two Aussie teens, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, were among those who tragically died from alcohol poisoning. Their deaths were confirmed earlier this month, just over a week after they were transferred from a district hospital in Vang Vieng to the Lao capital Vientiane, and then onwards to a facility in Thailand.
Among the other victims was 28 year old Briton Simone White, a lawyer from London. The remaining three were American national James Louis Hutson, 57, and Danish nationals Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21.
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