‘Traumatised, heart-wrenching': Laos methanol poisoning victim speaks out
In November 2024 six people died after drinking alcohol suspected to be contaminated with methanol. Two of those were 19-year old Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles.
Bethany Clarke from the UK was one of the lucky survivors of the poisoning however her childhood best friend Simone White – who Ms Clarke was travelling with at the time – was not so fortunate. Now she's speaking out on the issue in an attempt to raise awareness.
'In November 2024, my childhood best friend Simone White, tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Laos. After we unknowingly consumed drinks laced with methanol in our hostel bar, Simone suffered irreversible brain damage,' she said.
'Simone's mother then had to make the heart-wrenching decision to turn off her life support. Five other travellers including Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, James Louis Hutson, 57, Bianca Jones, 19 and Holly Bowles, 19 died after drinking the same drinks provided by the hostel and other travellers have become blind and many others have been left traumatised by their experiences.'
The poisoning occurred at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng Laos, an investigation by the Laotian government resulted in the subsequent arrest of 11 staff members including its manager.
'Methanol poisoning is a growing yet preventable problem in many countries, particularly in regions where alcohol is unregulated,' Ms Clarke said.
'Methanol can be present in high concentrations within counterfeit alcohol and can result in severe health issues, including seizures, blindness and even death. Travellers, who are often unaware of these dangers, are putting themselves at risk when drinking cocktails and other alcoholic drinks overseas.'
'Airports are crucial points of information that can provide warnings for millions of international travellers. Despite the pressing need, there is a lack of visible warnings and educational materials about methanol poisoning in airports around the world.'
Ms Clarke is proposing airports display clearly visible signs, distribute leaflets and have mandatory guidance counters with information on methanol poisoning risk.
'These measures can greatly reduce the risk and offer a safer travelling experience for all.
'No one should have to go through the pain and loss we've experienced losing Simone.'
The hostel has come under fire recently after a listing for 'Vang Vieng Central Backpaper Hostel' appeared on TripAdvisor and Agoda using the same address.
The venue has remained closed since the poisoning and is under construction at the moment however TripAdvisor told the BBC that it had received a request to change the name of the hostel on the platform.
A spokesman said it had not received proof of a change in ownership, so previous reviews would remain visible on the listing.
Ms Clarke's petition is live on Change.org and is available to sign here.
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