Australia warns travelers against Laotian liquors Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky

Australia has warned travelers not to drink certain alcohol in Laos, following a number of deaths linked to suspected methanol poisoning.

Australians should avoid drinking Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whiskey “due to serious safety concerns”, Said the Department of Foreign Affairs in Australia on the tourism website on Friday.

It added that the Laotian authorities have banned the sale and use of the two products due to concerns that they are dangerous to health. The BBC has contacted the Laotian government for confirmation.

Reports suggest that six people died Earlier this month in the Laotian city of Vang Vieng he drank locally made vodka.

Commenting on the deaths, Australia’s travel advisors said travelers should “be aware of the potential risks especially with alcohol-based drinks including cocktails”.

Among those who died in Vang Vieng were two Australians, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 years old. They were all staying at the Nana Backpackers hostel.

Eight workers were arrested on Tuesday, but have not been charged.

The owners of the hostel, which is now closed, denied that they served illegal alcohol.

The families of the Australian victims they urged the government of Laos to continue to pursue this case.

“I’m glad to hear there’s been some movement in Laos – we can’t pass our girls and this is going on,” Jones’ father Mark told reporters earlier.

The other four victims have been named as Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from the UK; James Louis Hutson, a 57-year-old American; and Danish citizens Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21.

It is not clear how many people are still sick from the alleged poisoning in Vang Vieng.

News reports say that the guests may have been drinking alcohol mixed with methanola toxic industrial chemical.

The colorless and odorless substance is often used in bootleg alcohol, and medical experts suggest that drinking as little as 25ml of it can be fatal.

The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has also updated its travel advice to reflect the dangers of methanol poisoning in Laos, warning that the substance has been used to make fake imitations of well-known alcohol.