Two tourists are fighting for their lives after falling sick when they consumed free vodka shots in a hostel in Laos.
Best friends Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, were preparing to go out in the town of Vang Vieng when they accepted the drinks.
After returning, they lay in their room at Nana Backpackers Hostel for 24 hours before staff paid them a visit when they failed to check out.
CCTV then showed them being transported to hospital, each on the back of a motorbike.
Now they are being treated for suspected severe alcohol poisoning, which has killed two people and made at least 10 sick, Australian media reports.
They are suspected to be suffering from methanol poisoning. Methanol is sometimes used as a cheap alternative to ethanol when mixing alcohol into drinks.
Speaking outside the hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, where they remain on life support, Holly’s father Shaun said: ‘Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit in critical condition, she’s on life support.
‘But we’d also like for people to appreciate right now we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly.’
Bianca’s family released a statement saying: ‘Our beautiful Bianca was on a dream getaway with her best friend Holly,” they told the publication.
‘They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia.
‘We are here by Bianca’s bedside praying for her. Please respect our privacy at this difficult time.’
Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan, who served Laotian vodka to around 100 guests as a gesture of hospitality, insists it wasn’t his alcohol that made them sick.
He said he bought the 40% Tiger Vodka from a certified distributor, that it wasn’t tainted by either himself of his staff, and that they’ve had no other complaints.
The bartender drank from one of the vodka bottles used that night to demonstrate to a reporter that it was safe.
He said: ‘Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng.’
Hostel owner Duong van Huan said: ‘This has never happened at the hostel. My business takes care of everyone. We never do anything wrong.
‘I’m not sure what happened but at the hostel we only sell drinks, whisky, cocktails and police have already checked everything.
‘All of the alcohol we have is safe. In eight years, this has never happened.’
The incident has made others visiting the popular tourist destination, known for its parties and adventure sports, more cautious.
Jasmine Antonius, from the Netherlands, said: ‘I think sometimes you’re not really watching how your drinks are being made.
‘I feel now it’s a wake-up call for many people since this happened. So I hope people would take more precaution because it’s really sad.’
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