"Be cautious when drinking alcohol, especially cocktails and drinks that may have been adulterated with harmful substances," writes the Swedish embassy, according to SVT.
A 19-year-old Australian and a same-aged friend fell ill on November 13 after a party night in Vang Vieng, a city that became a popular destination for backpackers since American soldiers were stationed there during the Vietnam War.
The young women were taken to Thailand for care, but one of them has now died.
This is every parent's worst nightmare, a nightmare that no one should have to endure, says Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
On Thursday evening, another death has been reported after a British woman who had previously been hospitalized has died. Earlier, an American tourist and two Danish citizens have died under similar circumstances in Laos.
New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that a citizen has also fallen ill in Laos and may have been a victim of methanol poisoning. New Zealand has updated its travel recommendations for Laos.
"Travelers are advised to be cautious when consuming alcoholic beverages, especially cocktails and drinks that may have been made with adulterated spirits," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces.
It is impossible to see, feel, or taste the difference between regular drinkable spirits in the form of ethanol and the dangerous methanol. But not everyone understands the dangers, so in Asia, for example, it is not entirely uncommon for tragedies to occur when cheap methanol has been used in drinks.
