Summary

Four people have died, including 19-year-old Australian Bianca Jones, two Danish women in their 20s, and a 56-year-old US citizen, after suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, a popular backpacker destination in Laos.

Several others, including six British and one New Zealand traveler, remain hospitalized.

The poisoning is believed to be linked to free shots offered at a local bar, prompting warnings from travelers to avoid local spirits.

Authorities fear a mass poisoning, with investigations underway into the source of the contaminated drinks.

  • @finitebanjo
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    51 month ago

    That’s honestly incredible. How did this happen? Steel stils without any copper cylinders? Wrong bacteria? Wut happen?

    Can’t wait for the investigation results, tbh.

    • @Cheems
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      61 month ago

      You can destil without using copper. That doesn’t stop methanol.

      It’s always present in fermented alcohols, but for it to be in a high enough a high enough concentration in the final product to kill you off of one shot… There has to be huge missteps from start to finish to a point way past negligence.