The manager and owner of a hostel have reportedly been detained after a British woman died from suspected methanol poisoning after taking free shots on holiday.
Simone White from Kent was the fifth known to have died in Laos, Southeast Asia, following the deaths of two Australian teenagers, an American and two Danish tourists.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed the 28-year-old lawyer’s death yesterday (21 November).
This morning, Aussie teen Holly Bowles became the sixth foreign tourist confirmed to have died from the suspected poisoning. A number of people were taken to hospital following the incident in the popular backpacking town of Vang Vieng last week.
An officer at the town’s Tourism Police office said no charges have been filed yet but a ‘number of people’ have been detained in connection with the case.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel is still operating but not accepting new guests. Staff there confirmed the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning.
The FCDO said it was in contact with the local authorities regarding the British nationals affected.
It’s believed those poisoned in the incident were served drinks tainted with methanol. While this can cause severe poisoning or death, it is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol.
Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said staff were told by other guests that the women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on 13 November, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.
He explained they had joined over 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel two days before.
Vang Vieng is a popular tourist site for backpackers. (Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The manager claimed no other guest had reported any issue and that the alleged victims had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.
It’s reported another British woman is also in hospital with Australian, New Zealand and Dutch officials adding they were monitoring incidents involving nationals.
With her death confirmed this morning, Bowles’ family told Australian 7News they had ‘broken hearts.
“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people,” the statement said.
“Holly was living her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.”
A police investigation into the poisoning is ongoing with it believed to have happened sometime between the evening of 12 November and the early hours of the next day.
Featured Image Credit: Facebook / Getty
Topics: World News, UK News, TravelAdvert
A Britis woman has died in Laos, bringing the death toll to five in a tragic mass poisoning event.
Simone White died after a suspected methanol poisoning which is believed to have occurred as a group reportedly took free shots from a bar.
Australian teen Bianca Jones was confirmed to have died earlier today, in addition to an American man and two Danish tourists.
The 28-year-old, who is from Kent, was a lawyer.
Simone White (LinkedIn)
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities.”
The Foreign Office Consular Department have also confirmed that other Brits were poisoned in the incident, and they are supporting these people and their families.
The suspected poisoning event occurred in Vang Vieng, an area of Laos that is popular among backpackers due to its night-life and adventure sports.
Bethany Clarke, a friend of Simone’s who is from the same area of Kent, claims that a group of six people were taken to hospital after drinking at the same bar.
As per Sky News, she posted in a Laos Backpacking Facebook group, where she warned other travellers about drinking alcohol.
White died earlier today (Facebook)
She posted: “Urgent – please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars,” she wrote.
“Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.”
The death of Jones, aged 19, was also confirmed in Australian parliament earlier today.
The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that she had died after being evacuated to a Thai hospital from Laos.
Authorities in Thailand confirmed that the 19-year-old had died of ‘brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system’.
Her friend, Holly Bowles, currently remains in hospital, Albanese said.
“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” he said. “We also take this moment to say that we’re thinking of Bianca’s friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life.”
Bianca’s family paid tribute via the Melbourne Herald Sun, saying: “She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.”
The US State Department also confirmed the death of the American man, while Denmark’s Foreign Ministry said that two citizens had died in the ‘incident in Laos’.
Featured Image Credit: Facebook / Linkedin
