Authorities in Laos have released the names of two Danish women and an American man who died of suspected methanol poisoning after apparently drinking contaminated alcohol.
Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and US national James Louis Hutson, 57, were all staying at the Nana hostel in the riverside town of Vang Vieng, a hub for travelers about two hours north of the capital Vientiane.
Three other tourists, including a Briton, also died from suspected methanol poisoning in the city last week.
Visiting the hostel, Vang Vieng Governor Bounchan Malavong promised an investigation and pledged to bring those responsible for the deaths to justice.
The two young Danes were found unconscious in their hostel room on November 13, after going out the night before to a bar in the city, local media reported. They were sent to a hospital in the capital Vientiane, but died in the middle of the night. The medical team said the cause of death was sudden heart failure.
The same day the two Danes were found, hostel staff noticed that American tourist Hutson had not come out of his room. When they went in to check on him, they found him dead on the bed, with several empty glasses nearby. There were no bruises or injuries on his body, local media reported.
During a visit to the hostel, the governor promised that those responsible for the deaths would be charged, and the hostel was closed for investigation.
He said local authorities would ensure local businesses followed the law.
Much of the attention has focused on the Nana Backpackers hostel, where some of the victims were staying. The Australian girls had taken some free photos there before leaving for the night.
The hostel manager denied any culpability, saying the same drinks were served to at least 100 other guests that evening who reported no problems.
Methanol is a deadly substance often found in moonshine. Medical specialists say drinking just 25 milliliters can be fatal, but it is sometimes added to drinks because it is cheaper than alcohol.
