Laos is under the limelight at the moment after six tourists have died in what is believed to be a suspected mass methanol poisoning - but it looks like the country loved by backpacking 20-somethings is far darker than first thought. Over the last few days, the world has watched on in horror as the death count, of mainly young women, has increased after it is believed that they all drunk the same ' from a bar in the 'wild' party spot in Vang Vieng. Two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, were confirmed to have died last week in Laos, followed by a 56-year-old US man, Australian teen Bianca Jones, Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, and now Holly Bowles who died earlier today (November 22) from the alleged poisoning.
While Laos is enthralled in the suspected methanol poisoning outbreak, often caused by illegally distilled drinks hindered by the lack of regulations, this isn't the first time the South East Asian country has been caught up in a substance-related scandal. Backpackers believe to be heading for a 'dream'. But it looks like with 20p meth tablets 'cheaper than beer' and 'fake booze' pumped full of methanol that it's anything but.
Laos has got a huge reputation for drugs as police orchestrated Asia's biggest ever drug bust after seizing 55million meth pills and over than 1.5 tonnes of crystal meth in 2021, according to the UN's crime agency. The massive stash was uncovered by Laos police in Lao Brewery beer crates on a truck in Bokeo, the Laos province bordering Thailand and Myan.
