Laos investigates tourist deaths, including two Danes

The Laotian government has expressed deep concern and offered condolences to the families of several foreign tourists, including two Danish women, suspected of dying from methanol poisoning. This marks the first government comment on the incident, with an investigation now launched. Six foreign tourists – two Danes, two Australians, one American, and one Brit – have died in Vang Vieng, a hotspot for backpackers in Southeast Asia. The Vientiane Times reports that a ministry delegation will visit the town for investigation, and journalists will follow. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol and a hazardous solvent, can cause unconsciousness, blindness, or death. The substance sometimes is illicitly added to drinks because it’s cheaper than ethanol. It is unclear how the victims were poisoned or if they consumed alcohol from the same place. The two Danish victims were 20 and 21 years old. The Danish Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths but did not provide further details.