A backpacking adventure in south-east Asia turned into a horrifying tragedy as six foreign nationals, including two young Danish women, lost their lives due to suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, Laos.
The Danish backpacker duo’s last moments were marked by intense suffering as they reportedly vomited blood for over 13 hours, according to News.com.au.
Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, shared harrowing final messages with a friend before their untimely deaths from suspected methanol poisoning.
The pair, originally from Roskilde, Denmark, had been backpacking across south-east Asia, documenting their travels in Vietnam and Thailand before arriving in Laos. They stayed at Nana Backpackers Hostel and consumed drinks at the hostel bar on November 12 before visiting other local venues.
Their final text messages described severe symptoms, but communication abruptly ceased. A Belgian traveller, who had planned to meet them, searched for days before discovering the tragic news of their deaths. Staff found the women unconscious in their bathroom on November 13. Despite being rushed to the hospital, they were declared dead early on November 14, as per The Star.
The same batch of tainted alcohol is suspected of causing the deaths of Australian teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, and British lawyer Simone White, 28. Eleven other foreign nationals remain hospitalised. Methanol poisoning, often a result of counterfeit alcohol, is being investigated as the cause.
The Laotian government has expressed sorrow over the tragedy, promising to bring the perpetrators to justice. Nana Backpackers Hostel’s owner and manager have been detained for questioning, though no charges have been filed. Staff have denied serving contaminated drinks, with a bartender even drinking from the same vodka bottle to prove its safety, according to News.com.au.
The deaths of Anne-Sofie and Freja have sparked warnings about the dangers of counterfeit alcohol in tourist hotspots.