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Topics: World News, UK News, Travel
Jess Battison
The manager and owner of a hostel have 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 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.
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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, and staff there confirmed that 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.
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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 said they had joined over 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel two days before.
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 is not known where the contaminated drinks were served.
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It's reported that 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 in a statement that 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 local police investigation into the suspected poisoning is ongoing.