Police in Vietnam are investigating the deaths of a British woman and her South African fiance who worked in Dubai before moving to South-East Asia.
Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Arno Quinton Els, 36, were found on Boxing Day in separate rooms of their rented villa in Hoi An, an ancient town on Vietnam’s central coast. Cleaners at the Hoi An Silverbell villa discovered the bodies, with no signs of forced entry, external injuries or ransacking according to provincial police.
Mobile phones and other personal belongings were left untouched, while Quang Nam Provincial Police have removed empty liquor bottles for analysis, according to reports. According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms Otteson worked as a social media manager in Dubai, while her partner Mr Els was reportedly a professionals barista, also working in the UAE until the end of 2023.
A report by Vietnam News said both had registered for long-term temporary residence at the tourist villa since July 4, 2024. An Instagram video showed the couple had recently become engaged to be married.
Tributes have been paid across social media, on X a friend called Kelly posted: “Greta and Arno were such beautiful lights in this world, everything will be a little darker without them in it.”
A UK Foreign Office representative told The National it was “supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Vietnam and are in contact with the local authorities”.
There have been a number of deaths related to contaminated alcohol poisoning across South-East Asia in recent months. In November, six people died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, after drinking contaminated spirits.
Tourists who fell ill after drinking at bars in Vang Vienna were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, whose manager and owner were arrested during an investigation into the deaths of a British woman, two Australian women, an American man and two Danish nationals.
Methanol poisoning has been a persistent issue plaguing backpacker trails across poorer nations along the Mekong river, despite government crackdowns. Methanol is normally used in industrial products from paint thinners to anti-freeze.
However, some makers of illicit liquor add toxic methanol to increase alcohol content cheaply, reports say. It can also be produced by mistake during backyard production of the alcohol found in beverages, scientifically known as ethyl alcohol.
Methanol is colourless and has a similar smell to the alcohol, but it can be deadly in quantities of just 25 millilitres. The effects can take up to 24 hours to appear, and usually include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain that often escalates to severe respiratory problems if left untreated.
Palestine and Israel – live updates
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Ticket prices
- Golden circle – Dh995
- Floor Standing – Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum – Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium – Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus – Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium – Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard – Dh295
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US’s clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
