Methanol is sometimes added to mixed drinks at disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death. It is also a byproduct of poorly distilled homebrew liquor, and could have found its way into bar drinks inadvertently.

Two Danish backpackers who died in a mass poisoning in Laos messaged a friend to say they had been vomiting blood for hours before they went eerily silent, and were later found deceased.

The Laotian government on Saturday officially acknowledged the mass poisoning that has killed at least six tourists, pledging it would bring perpetrators to justice

Six tourists, including Australians and a British woman, died in Laos, likely from methanol poisoning. The U.S. State Department warns travelers about this risk. The Laos government is investigating the incident and expressed condolences to the victims' families.

Laos government has broken its silence, following the deaths of at least 6 tourists, including two Australians.