A tragic holiday adventure in Laos turned deadly when an American teacher and his teenage son were fatally attacked by a swarm of hornets during a ziplining excursion.
Daniel Owen, 47, and his 15-year-old son Cooper were on vacation near Luang Prabang, a popular eco-adventure destination in northern Laos, when the horrific incident occurred on 15 October, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Laos.
Reports suggest that the pair were descending from a tree when they were suddenly surrounded and stung by hundreds of Asian giant hornets, one of the most venomous species in the world. A source close to U.S. diplomats in Laos confirmed the details to The Times.
Dr. Phanomsay Phakan, from the Phakan Arocavet Clinic where the victims were treated, described the injuries as severe and unprecedented.
“Their bodies were covered in red spots, more than 100 stings each,” the doctor said. “It was very painful and far worse than anything I’ve ever seen.”
Despite reaching the clinic conscious and without immediate signs of allergic shock, both father and son tragically passed away hours later after being transferred to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital.
Daniel Owen served as the director of QSI International School in Haiphong, Vietnam, where he had dedicated nearly 18 years to international education. The organization expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Owen and his son.
“Dan devoted 18 years to QSI, serving across five schools and inspiring countless students and colleagues through his leadership and kindness,” the school wrote in a Facebook post. “He was deeply respected and will be profoundly missed.”
Messages of grief and admiration quickly filled social media, as friends, students, and coworkers paid tribute to the beloved educator and his son.
Former colleague Julija Zh remembered Owen as a compassionate leader during his time at QSI Minsk:
“Dan always cared for others and would help in any way he could. It’s heartbreaking to believe he and Cooper are gone.”
A former student, Anoushka Mahar, recalled Owen’s encouragement and support:
“Mr. Owen spent so much time helping me plan for university even when I told him I couldn’t afford it. I’ll never forget his kindness.”
Another friend, Josh Gaines, shared childhood memories from Kazakhstan:
“He was my first best friend abroad. We’d leave uplifting quotes for each other every day. The world truly lost two amazing people.”
The management at Green Jungle Park, where the tragedy occurred, extended condolences to the Owen family and confirmed that safety procedures have since been reviewed.
Asian giant hornets, sometimes called “murder hornets,” are the world’s largest hornets and are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, as well as parts of Russia. Their venom contains mastoparan-M, a powerful toxin that can cause extreme pain, tissue damage, and, in severe cases, death.
The species has spread beyond Asia in recent years, with sightings in parts of Europe, including the UK. In Spain, several fatal incidents have been reported — including one just last month when a man died after stepping on a hornet nest in Galicia.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last year that the hornet had been successfully eradicated from the United States, five years after its first discovery in Washington state, near the Canadian border.
This devastating incident in Laos serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by these aggressive insects, even during what was meant to be a joyful family adventure.