In a tragic turn of events, eight staff members, including the manager, of a backpacker hostel in Laos have been detained in connection with the suspected methanol poisoning deaths of six tourists.
Authorities in Vang Vieng, where the Nana Backpacker Hostel is located, brought in the 34-year-old manager, Duong Duc Toan, along with seven employees for questioning. Toan has denied any wrongdoing, but suspicion around the hostel has grown following the deaths of tourists who had stayed there.
The victims, including two Danish citizens, one American, one Briton, and two Australians, had been out together on the night of November 12. Their deaths have sparked fears of methanol poisoning, a deadly substance sometimes added to alcohol as a cheap alternative to ethanol. Australian officials have confirmed that they believe one of the Australian victims died after consuming alcohol tainted with methanol, though other authorities have yet to officially confirm the cause of death. The UK, New Zealand, and Australia have since warned travelers to be cautious when consuming alcohol in Laos.
The incident came to light a week after two Australian women fell ill on November 13, following a night of drinking at the hostel. According to the manager, the women failed to check out as scheduled, and the hostel arranged transport for them to the hospital. However, the manager also mentioned that over 100 guests had been offered Lao vodka shots at the hostel, and most had not experienced any issues.
Tragically, the two Danish women were found unconscious in their room, later dying in the hospital, and an American tourist was discovered dead in his room. Local authorities have since closed the Nana Backpacker Hostel for investigation, and Lao officials have vowed that those responsible for the deaths will face charges.
