The death toll of 'methanol alcohol' in Bang Bieng, Laos, increases...Tourist attention needs

2024.11.23 AM 05:39
[Anchor]
A series of foreign tourists are dying after drinking alcohol believed to contain methanol in La Vang Vieng.

The death toll has already reached six, and the United States and the United Kingdom have issued a "Laos Methanol Warning," and many of our tourists visit it, so caution is needed.

Reporter Kim Ji-young reports.

[Reporter]
A hostel in Bangbieng, a famous tourist attraction in Laos,
Two Australian teenage women who traveled to ∀ and stayed here were taken to a neighboring Thai hospital due to poor health, but died.

High concentrations of methanol were detected in the body.

[Patanawong Champon / Thai Police Chief Udon Thani: Methanol is a poison and you should not eat or drink it. The cause of death is brain swelling caused by methanol.

On the evening of the 12th, it was confirmed that they drank free alcohol provided by the accommodation with other guests.

In addition to the two, one British, one American and two Danes have been killed so far, with more tourists in critical condition, possibly increasing the death toll.

In this regard, the U.S. State Department issued a health alert for travelers to Laos,
The Foreign Office of the United Kingdom has also issued guidelines for travelers to Laos urging caution when drinking alcoholic beverages.

[Tony Shahar / Israeli tourist: I'm not going to drink from a glass. I won't drink a bottle, nor will I drink a homemade drink.

Until now, in some Southeast Asian countries, casualties have often occurred while making alcohol with cheap methanol.

Experts warn that even a small amount of methanol can be deadly.

[Alistair Hay / Professor of Toxicology at Leeds University] Because each person has a different ability to detoxify enzymes, some people can tolerate more than others. However, even a small amount of tens of milliliters can be fatal depending on the individual.

In particular, Bangbieng is called the "Holy Place for Backpack Travel" and is also visited by many Korean tourists, so caution is needed ahead of the peak winter season.

I'm Kim Jiyoung of YTN.

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video: Eunji Kang



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