Luang Prabang, Laos – An American father and son died in Laos on Oct. 15 after being stung repeatedly by a swarm of wasps while ziplining at Green Jungle Park, authorities confirmed. Dan Owen, director of the QSI International School of Haiphong in Vietnam, and his son, Cooper, succumbed to anaphylactic shock following the attack.
The incident occurred as the two were descending from a tree at the end of a zip line near Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular tourist destination. Both were initially treated at a local clinic before being transported to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital, where Cooper died within 30 minutes and his father approximately three hours later, according to emergency room physician Jorvue Yianouchongteng.”We tried our best to save them but we couldn’t,” Yianouchongteng told The Associated Press.
Both victims suffered severe anaphylactic shock after being stung more than 100 times, though the exact cause of death remains under determination. While the asian giant hornet, frequently enough called the “murder hornet,” is present in Laos, it is indeed unclear which species of wasp was responsible for the stings.
The U.S. State Department confirmed the deaths of the two U.S. citizens but declined to provide further details, citing privacy concerns. Quality Schools International, Owen’s employer, described him as having “touching countless lives” during his 18 years with the association, which operates 35 schools globally. “He was deeply loved across our community and will be profoundly missed,” the school stated in a Facebook post.
Local authorities at the clinic and Green Jungle Park have not yet issued statements. The Laos Foreign Ministry also did not respond to requests for comment. The deaths serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of insect stings, particularly for those with allergies, and highlight the risks associated with outdoor adventure activities in remote areas.
