Laos

Agnes and Ellen lived in the hostel in Laos: "Drank with the woman who died"
Want to warn others after the death potions

Nora Fernstedt

Updated 20.19 | Published 20.17
 

Quick version

• Agnes Liljemark and Ellen Bjarnestig were shocked after they learned that a woman they met at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Laos died of methanol poisoning after they left the city.
• Police are investigating the hostel and nearby shops in Vang Vieng to find out the source of the adulterated alcohol, and several deaths have been linked to free booze served there.
  
• The Swedish Embassy in Laos has issued a warning to be careful about drinking alcohol due to the risk of adulterated drinks.

Agnes Liljemark, 21, and Ellen Bjarnestig, 21, had drinks with the British group of friends at the hostel in Vang Vieng.

After they checked out, they learned that one of the women had died of poisoning.

- We stay away from booze and free shots now. Because you don't know what you're getting, says Agnes.

Ellen and Agnes, 21: "We probably drank the same alcohol"

Friends Agnes and Ellen, both 21 years old from Stockholm, spend the autumn traveling in Southeast Asia.

On November 11, they checked into the popular Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos.

But it was only after they left the city, four days later, that they learned of the terrible thing that had happened.

- We noticed that something had happened when the police started showing up in the middle of the night. But when we lived there we knew nothing.

Agnes Liljemark, 21, and Ellen Bjarnestig, 21, in Vang Vieng. Photo: Private

"Shaken and shocked"

It was speculated, among other things, whether the police presence could have something to do with drugs. Vang Vieng is a party mecca and Ellen and Agnes have seen people openly taking drugs.

But then they learned that several people died of methanol poisoning after drinking shots and drinks.

- We have been very shaken and shocked in recent days. It has been wonderful that we have had each other, says Agnes.

Agnes and Ellen hung out with British Simone White, 28, who allegedly fell ill and died after drinking shots. Photo: Facebook

"Tragic"

At the hostel, Agnes and Ellen met one of the women who later died.

They had been on an excursion during the day and were a little tired. But they hung out a bit with a group of British friends in the evening - one of them was 28-year-old Simone White, who Aftonbladet previously worte about.

The shock was great when Simone's picture appeared in the news.

- It felt so close. We drank the same alcohol that may have made her no longer alive. It feels so tragic, says Agnes.

Ellen agrees.

- It feels unpleasant that we could have been among the affected.

 

Foreign tourists at Nana Backpack Hostel. Photo: Anupam Nath/AP

"Free booze in abundance"

It has not yet been determined how or where those who were poisoned got hold of the dangerous liquor. The police have taken the owner of the hostel in for questioning. They have also checked the alcohol both in the hostel and in smaller shops nearby.

Agnes and Ellen reacted that the alcohol culture at the hostel stood out - even from other "backpacker-hooks".

In the evenings there was an offer where you could drink free alcohol for two hours if you bought a soft drink.

- There was free alcohol in large quantities. It feels very suspicious, do they have to go back on that? Where does that alcohol come from? says Ellen.

- Many who travel are young and travel on a budget. People won't turn down free booze, adds Agnes.

A bottle of vodka from the bar at Nana hostel Photo: Anupam Nath / AP

Only drinks beer: "Don't trust anyone"

When we speak, the friends are in Thailand. In a month, they will travel home.

- We told each other quite quickly that we will not drink any alcohol at all, and you don't really trust anyone anymore. If we drink, it is from closed beer bottles, says Agnes.

The tragic event has affected backpackers far beyond Laos.

- It's almost the only thing people talk about. If we say that we come from Laos, that's the first thing that comes up. Then you get news about it on the phone all the time, there's never a quiet moment, says Ellen.

The owner of the hostel has been questioned and the liquor in the hostel has been checked. Photo: Anupam Nath/AP

Despite what happened, the girls are looking forward to the rest of their trip. But they want to share their experience to warn others.

- We have also been the ones who take all the free shots at the hostel. Spend a few extra kroner on buying a beer. People probably think that it is an isolated incident in Laos, but it is important to point out that it is not the only place where you have to be careful, says Agnes.

Holly Bowles, 19, from Australia died in the resort. Photo: Facebook

Six dead - UD warns

Six people have died of suspected methanol poisoning after drinking drinks and shots in Vang Vieng.

It is about 19-year-old Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones from Australia, two Danish women in their 20s, British Simone White, 28, and an American man. It is unclear whether the Danes and the man are both in the same hostel as the others.

Bianca Jones, 19, is one of six people who died in suspected methanol poisoning. Photo: Private

The Swedish embassy in Laos has issued a warning on the Foreign Ministry's website.

“Be careful about drinking alcohol, especially cocktails and drinks that contain spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances”
 

FACTS

Methanol

Methanol is a toxic alcohol used in industrial and household products such as thinners, antifreeze and varnish.

As little as 25 milliliters of methanol can be fatal.

Methanol, which is colorless, is difficult to detect in beverages. It is impossible to see, feel or taste the difference between ordinary drinkable alcohol in the form of ethanol and the dangerous methanol. But not everyone understands the dangers, so in Asia, for example, it is not entirely unusual for tragedies to occur in connection with cheap methanol being used for drinks.

Criminals also reportedly use it in alcohol production to get a higher alcohol level at a lower price.

It can take up to 24 hours for victims to start showing signs of methanol poisoning. The symptoms are nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain which can turn into hyperventilation and breathing difficulties.

Source: TT