A British lawyer has died after being served drinks laced with a toxic substance whilst holidaying in Laos, with the death toll now rising to five from a suspected mass ‘methanol-laced alcohol poisoning’.
Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, fell ill last week after her drink was allegedly spiked with the drug whilst she was staying in the backpacker town of Vang Vieng.
At least 11 people, including Britons, remain in hospital after allegedly being served laced drinks at a bar.
An Australian teenager, two Danish women aged in their twenties, and an American are among those reported to have died after the incident in the backpacker town.
Simone White is the fifth person to die from the suspected mass ‘methanol-laced alcohol poisoning’
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.”
Australian teen Bianca Jones’ death was confirmed by her family hours ago, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing it to parliament.
The 19-year-old died on Thursday at a hospital in Udon Thani, near Thailand’s border with Laos. Her school friend, Holly Bowles, 19, is currently in hospital fighting for her life.
The US State Department confirmed an American had died, whilst Denmark’s Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens also died from “the incident in Laos”.
Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Staff discovered that the guests were ill when numerous tourists failed to check out.
More to follow…