A British tourist has tragically died after being served drinks laced with highly toxic methanol in Laos. Simone White, a lawyer from Oprington, Kent, reportedly became seriously ill and later died after being served up free Laos Tiger vodka shots by a bar in Vang Vieng.
The 28-year-old is one of five to have died after consuming the same drink at the bar. Two Danish tourists, an American man, and an Australian teenager are the other four to have been killed by the methanol drinks, The Mirror reports.
Methanol is a dangerous substance, which is sometimes illegally used to dilute alcohol. It can cause serious health effects, with even just a 4ml drop enough to cause a person to suffer visual hallucinations and even blindness, according to the NHS.
Earlier, Simone’s travel pal issued a strong warning to tourists in the region to “please avoid all local spirits”. She said: “Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.”
More than 100 holidaymakers were reportedly treated to the complimentary shots at a hostel. Despite claims of drink tampering, the owner Duong Duc Toan has refuted such allegations.
He told the Sun: “Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng. The police in Vang Vieng and [the capital] Vientiane already came to the hostel to check the shop [where] we buy the vodka, check the shop [where] we buy the whisky. We don’t do anything wrong, for sure. I really take care of all of the customers [who] stay with our hotel and our hostel.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told its parliament 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend Holly Bowles, also 19, remains in hospital in Thailand. Australia said “several foreign nationals” had also been victims of methanol poisoning.
The US State Department confirmed an American had died and Denmark’s Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens also died in “the incident in Laos”.
The Foreign Office’s website warns would-be travellers to the region of male and female tourists of reports of drink and food spiking. It reads: “Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers at bars, clubs, restaurants and parties.” A spokesman added: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos and we are in contact with the local authorities.”
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