Sixth tourist dies in suspected mass poising in Laos as hostel owner detained

A second Australian teenager has died after drinking suspected tainted alcohol in Laos.
Several people, including the manager and owner of a hostel, have been detained by police after at least six tourists died in a suspected mass methanol poisoning in the popular backpacker town of Vang Vieng.
Holly Bowles, 19, was travelling around South-East Asia with her friend, Bianca Jones, who has also died.
The two women fell ill after reportedly consuming a drink containing methanol – a highly toxic substance.
A statement from Bowles’ family said they were “incredibly proud” of Holly.
“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people.
“Holly was living her best life travelling through South-East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.
“As her parents we were always so incredibly proud of everything Holly did. Holly was an amazing big sister to James and she always looked out for him.”
Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from Orpington, Kent, is among those confirmed to have died. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have said it is supporting the family of Ms White and said it is “in contact with the local authorities”.
Two Danish women and an American tourist also died and at least five British travellers have reportedly been hospitalised.
New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that one of its citizens was also unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning.
Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, where the two Australian backpackers were staying, confirmed that the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning.
Ms Bowles and Ms Jones were staying at Nana Backpacker Hostel and fell ill on November 13, following a night out with a group in Vang Vieng.
At some point in the night, the women are believed to have been served drinks containing methanol, but it is unclear where.
Methanol is a tasteless and odourless substance, and substantial exposure to it can be deadly.
It is often found in counterfeit replicas of known alcohol brands or illegal local spirits, according to the UK government website.
Hostel manager, Duong Duc Toan, said that staff were told by other guests that the two women were unwell after they failed to check-out as planned. The hostel arranged transport to a hospital for them.
He said that two days before check-out, the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality.
He said no other guest reported any issue, adding that the women had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.
Mr Toan denied any wrongdoing, telling Australian Broadcaster ABC that “I really take care of all of the customers [who] stay with our hotel and our hostel.”
The UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand have updated their travel advice for tourists in Laos, urging people to take care if offered, or when buying, spirit-based drinks.
Investigations into the suspected methanol poisoning are ongoing by local authorities.
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