A Foreign Office warning has been issued after four tourists were reported to have died in a suspected mass poisoning in Laos.
An Australian teenager, two Danish travellers and an American man have been confirmed dead in the country while two others, including a British woman, are reportedly on life support in hospital.
The cases were reported in the backpacker tourist town of Vang Vieng.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said in updated travel advice for the country: “There have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol.
“Methanol has been used in the manufacture of counterfeit replicas of well-known alcohol brands or illegal local spirits, like vodka.
“You should take care if offered, particularly for free, or when buying spirit-based drinks. If labels, smell or taste seem wrong then do not drink.
“Methanol is tasteless and odourless. It can rapidly lead to serious illness. Long-term effects may include blindness and permanent damage to the Central Nervous System. Coma and death may occur following substantial exposure.”
British travellers to the Asian country were advised to protect themselves from methanol poisoning by buying alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores; buying drinks at licensed bars and hotels; avoiding home-made alcoholic drinks; checking that bottle seals are intact and labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling.
Affected drinks may include local spirits, including local rice or palm liquor; spirit-based mixed drinks, such as cocktails and counterfeit brand-name bottled alcohol in shops or behind the bar.