BANGKOK – The Lao government is “deeply saddened” by the deaths of foreign tourists from drinking alcohol contaminated with methanol and has vowed to prosecute those responsible.

Two Danes, two Australians, a Briton and an American have died after visiting Vang Vieng, an idyllic town popular with foreign backpackers, and drinking contaminated alcohol.

The government has “conducted investigations to find the causes of the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law,” it said in its first official comments published on the Foreign Ministry website on Saturday.

The government “extends its sincere condolences and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” the report said.

Lao state news agency KPL said on Friday that authorities were gathering evidence and witness statements following the deaths of the foreigners due to suspected “consumption of tainted alcoholic drinks”.

Counterfeiting of major alcohol brands and homemade spirits is a problem in Laos. Australia and Britain have warned their citizens to be careful about consuming drinks there.

In response to the incident, the US Embassy in Laos on Friday issued a warning to its citizens to be alert to the risks of methanol poisoning when consuming liquor-based drinks. counterfeit.

Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide and alternative fuel, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.