The Laotian Tourist Police are investigating the deaths of two young Danish women, aged 19 and 20, who died from methanol poisoning in the party town of Vang Vieng. The incident is part of a larger tragedy that has claimed the lives of five young tourists and left a sixth, an Australian woman, fighting for her life.
“We are not ready to release a statement to the press,” said an officer on duty when contacted by ScandAsia regarding the fatalities. The officer confirmed that an official statement would be issued next week.
When asked why the authorities had not yet issued a preliminary statement to reassure tourists that the matter is being addressed, the officer responded:
“We take this extremely seriously, but we must focus on the investigation first.”
The deaths, linked to methanol poisoning, have raised alarm in Vang Vieng, a town popular with young backpackers. The delay in communication has sparked concerns about the potential impact on tourism in Laos, as travelers question safety measures in the region.
Further updates are expected as the investigation unfolds.
Further reading: https://scandasia.com/norwegian-and-danish-backpackers-shocked-by-tragic-deaths-in-laos/
