World · 18 July 2026
Laos cannot determine cause of six tourist methanol deaths
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Laos authorities say they cannot determine the cause of six tourist deaths in November 2024, which were linked to methanol-tainted alcohol, because no autopsies were conducted. The Ministry of Public Security stated on Saturday that they lacked the forensic evidence needed to establish blame or cause. Officials did find excessive levels of methanol in vodka from the distillery involved, and its owner now faces charges.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs