Freja Vennervald Sørensen’s father: My daughter’s death should not be in vain

The tragic deaths of two young Danish women, Freja Vennervald Sørensen and Anne-Sofie Ørkild Coyman, sent shockwaves through Scandinavia and the traveling community, prompting their families to issue urgent warnings to other travelers. Freja’s parents have now also spoken out through DR to raise awareness about the dangers faced by young travelers abroad.
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Freja Vennervald Sørensen’s parents have had two priorities in recent days. The first was to bring their daughter home from Laos. The second was to warn others about the factors that likely contributed to their daughter’s death. Freja’s backpacking trip through Southeast Asia with her best friend from highschool, Anne-Sofie, ended in a way her parents could never have imagined.

Freja’s father, Karsten Sørensen, recently returned home after the harrowing experience of identifying his daughter’s body. He emphasizes the critical importance of raising awareness among young travelers about the risks of consuming alcohol, particularly in unfamiliar locations.

Reached out to DR

Although the past few days have felt like a nightmare for Freja Vennervald Sørensen’s parents, who struggle to comprehend that their daughter is no longer alive, they remain determined to share her story. They reached out to DR to inform the public about the risks young travelers might encounter.

Freja’s father, Karsten Sørensen, emphasizes the importance of their message. He acknowledges that they cannot bring Freja back, but he hopes that by telling her story, other young people traveling the world will understand the dangers they need to be aware of. For him, it is crucial that this experience serves a purpose and is not in vain.

“It’s devastating to lose Freja. While we can’t bring her back, I want all young people who travel the world to understand the dangers they might face. This experience serves as a warning that must not go in vain.” Karsten Sørensen conveyed during an interview with DR.

They had the trip planned for years

The friends meticulously planned their journey through Southeast Asia, covering countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Freja had dreamed about this trip for years and was excited to embark on the adventure. Upon returning home, she intended to apply to university.

In mid-November, the traveling friends arrived in Vang Vieng, Laos, and checked into Nana Backpackers Hostel. Reports indicate that the two women fell ill on November 13, but Freja’s parents remain uncertain about the exact details of what transpired during that time.

The women, aged 21 and 20, likely suffered from methanol poisoning after unknowingly consuming tainted alcohol during their stay in the bustling backpacking hub of Vang Vieng.

Freja Vennervald Sørensen’s parents express their confusion regarding the events of that day, not knowing if the incidents happened at a bar, their hostel, or if Freja had been absent for a considerable time. However reports indicate that the girls fell ill one after another and sought treatment at a local clinic in Vang Vieng before being transferred to a hospital in the capital city of Laos. Yet the parents still do not know the complete story.

Questions of communication and silence

It wasn’t until Saturday, November 16, that Freja’s parents learned of her death. For several days, they had not heard from her and initially attributed their lack of communication to poor signal coverage in the area. However, as time passed, concern began to mount.

The family have a group on Snapchat, where they share updates, and Freja typically responded promptly. This time, however, there was complete radio silence, which heightened their worries.

On the morning of Saturday, November 16, the parents were contacted by another traveler in Laos who was supposed to meet their daughter. He was perplexed about the whereabouts of the women.

Upon receiving his alarm, the family promptly reached out to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by their travel insurance provider, both of whom began investigating the situation.

Later that evening, two police officers arrived at their home to deliver the tragic news.

Today, Freja Vennervald Sørensen’s parents reflect on the fact that it took three and a half days for them to be informed about their daughter’s fate. They cannot help but wonder how much longer they might have waited if they hadn’t initiated the alarm themselves. The couple questions whether the local authorities would have remained silent about the matter.

Danish authorities criticized

Just hours before the hospital transported Freja and her friend, another tourist, 21-year-old Maja Emilie Knudsen, spent time with them. Maja’s mother, Vibeke Knudsen, has publicly criticized Danish authorities for their handling of the situation she told B.T.

Freja and her friend stayed at Nana Backpackers Hostel when they, along with other tourists, fell ill from what officials believe was methanol poisoning. In light of these incidents, police detained eight staff members from the hostel for questioning, including the owner.

During an interview Tuesday Pat Buathong Borinan, the chief of police command in the Vang Vieng district, announced the closure of the hotel and confirmed that they are investigating the matter.

Raising awareness

In the wake of this tragedy, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated safety guidelines for young travelers abroad, emphasizing the need for caution regarding alcohol consumption. The ministry highlighted that alcohol production in many countries is less regulated than it is in Denmark, particularly in Asia, where methanol poisoning incidents have occurred.

The Danish authorities now urge travelers to remain vigilant when consuming cocktails and other spirit-based beverages. The ministry advises against drinking homemade alcohol and encourages individuals to only purchase drinks from reputable establishments.

Rikke Vennervald Sørensen, Freja’s mother, expressed her frustration that these warnings did not appear sooner, as methanol poisoning is not a new issue in the region. She believes that if the young women had been aware of these dangers, they might have sought medical attention sooner instead of attributing their symptoms to regular alcohol consumption.

Karsten Sørensen echoed her sentiments, sharing the emotional toll of losing Freja and the horror of knowing she endured such a terrifying experience without protection. The couple was not aware of the risks associated with methanol poisoning in Southeast Asia prior to this tragedy.

As the families of the victims continue to seek answers, they remain committed to raising awareness to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. They aim to ensure that their daughters’ stories and the lessons learned resonate with young travelers everywhere, encouraging vigilance and care when consuming alcohol abroad.

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Hostel owner in Laos detained after poisoning case Local Lao says hostel owner was already detained Wednesday The two danish women were found unconscious in hostel after reported methanol poisoning Police close hostel in Laos where the danish girls died