Eight detained by police over Laos backpacker deaths: local media

Singapore: Eight people linked to the Nana Backpackers Hostel have been detained by police in the Laos village of Vang Vieng after the deaths of six tourists in a suspected drink-poisoning incident, local media have reported. Those detained are the …

Laos Needs a Transparent and Thorough Investigation Into Methanol Deaths

Last week, an international newspaper asked me for a comment on the political implications for Laos after six foreign tourists were killed last week, most likely because of drinking alcohol laced with methanol, in Vang Vieng, a tourism hotspot. At the time …

Việt Nam, Laos, Cambodia hold annual defence ministerial meeting

  PHNOM PENH – Defence ministers of Việt Nam, Laos, and Cambodia convened their annual meeting in Phnom Penh on November 25 to reinforce trilateral cooperation in the field. Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang noted that the ties …

Laos hostel staff detained after suspected methanol deaths

Police in Laos have detained eight members of staff at a backpacker hostel following the deaths of six tourists from suspected methanol poisoning last week. According to local media, those detained include workers and management from the Nana Backpacker …

Reports of eight people detained in Laos after fatal methanol poisoning

Six people have died in Laos from drinking tainted alcohol – what you need to know about methanol

Six tourists who were staying at a youth hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, have died of methanol poisoning. The methanol was believed to be in contaminated drinks. Methanol – a colourless, tasteless liquid – is extremely toxic. As little as 60ml can be deadly – …

Amateur sleuth’s grim find in Laos poisoning

A push by fellow backpackers to investigate the mass poisoning at a Laos hostel that left six tourists dead has uncovered claims that more than a dozen people who previously stayed there fell ill from suspected tainted drinks. Six foreigners, including …

Mines Advisory Group marks 30 years in Laos

This month, the Mines Advisory Group (MAG)-a humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding organisation–is marking its 30th anniversary of operations in Laos.   Since 1994, MAG has worked with communities and authorities across Khammuan and Xieng Khuang …

Father of methanol poisoning victim calls for thorough investigation in Laos

The father of Bianca Jones described his daughter as a young woman just beginning her life after graduation, embarking on an adventurous trip with close friends. BANGKOK, Thailand – The father of Bianca Jones, a 19-year-old Australian who was one of six …

Laos hostel staff detained after backpackers’ deaths from methanol poisoning

Police in Laos have detained the manager and seven staff members of a backpacker hostel in Vang Vieng following the deaths of six tourists from suspected methanol poisoning, state media reported on Tuesday. Two Danish citizens, an American, a Briton and …