A British lawyer has become the fifth person to die after allegedly being served free shots containing methanol while holidaying in Laos, according to reports.
Simone White, 28, from Orpington in south-east London, is said to have passed away after drinking tainted alcohol while on holiday in Vang Vieng, the Times reported.
Australian national Bianca Jones, 19, two Danish women in their 20s and an American national are also reported to have died.
The victims, most of whom were guests at Nana Backpacker Hostel, fell ill after drinking the contaminated drinks on Tuesday last week. It is not known where the drinks were sold.
At least seven others, including other British holidaymakers, were hospitalised, the Times said.
In a statement to parliament, Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese said Ms Jones had died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital.
Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalised in Thailand.
“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” Mr Albanese said. “We also take this moment to say that we’re thinking of Bianca’s friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life.”
In a statement to the Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper, Ms Jones’ family asked for privacy in their grief.
“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us,” the family wrote.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.”
The US State Department confirmed that an American national was also thought to have died, but declined to provide further details.
Denmark’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed on Wednesday that two of its citizens had died in Laos but would not provide further details.
Details on the alcohol poisoning began trickling out about a week after the two Australian women fell ill on November 13 following a night out drinking with a group in the party town.
Drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used as the alcohol at disreputable bars, can cause severe poisoning or death.
Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said more than 100 guests received free shots of Lao Tiger vodka mixed with ice and Coke Zero as a gesture of hospitality.
He said the spirit was from a certified distributor and was not tainted by him or his staff.
He told the Associated Press: “Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng.”
He added to the Australian broadcaster ABC that he was certain the poisoned drinks were not sold at his bar.
He said: “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.”
Laos police have opened a probe into the poisoning.
Ms Bowles’ father, Shaun Bowles, told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday: “Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit, in critical condition, she’s on life support.
“We would just like to thank everyone from back home for all their support and love that we are receiving.
“We would also like for people to appreciate right now, we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly.”
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