British lawyer, 28, dies following suspected mass methanol poisoning at bar in Laos

21 November 2024, 15:18 | Updated: 21 November 2024, 16:56

Simone White has died following a poisoning with alcoholic drinks at a bar in Loas
Simone White has died following a poisoning with alcoholic drinks at a bar in Loas. Picture: Facebook

By Flaminia Luck

A British lawyer has died following a suspected mass methanol poisoning at a bar in Laos.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Simone White, 28, from Kent, is the fifth holidaymaker to have died after becoming ill last week from the drinks.

At least seven others, including other British holidaymakers, have been hospitalised.

Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng - with staff being told that guests had fallen ill after they failed to check out on November 13.

Those poisoned in the incident are believed to have been served drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death.

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.”

Bianca Jones
Bianca Jones died in hospital in Thailand. Picture: Social media

Her friend, Bethany Clarke, was also taken ill. She wrote on a Laos backpacking Facebook group: “Urgent — please avoid all local spirits. 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.”

It is not yet known where the contaminated alcohol came from.

A message posted on the Laos Backpacking facebook group
A message posted on the Laos Backpacking facebook group. Picture: Facebook

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Van Vieng for treatment in a Thai hospital.

Thai authorities confirmed Ms Jones died because of a "brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system".

Her friend Holly Bowles, also 19, remains in hospital in Thailand.

Australia said "several foreign nationals" had also been victims of methanol poisoning.

Read more: Heir to £230m pie fortune found guilty of murdering his best friend on Christmas Eve

Read more: Storm Bert set to bring snow, blizzards and downpours as four days of weather warnings issued

Tourists at Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos
Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng . Picture: Alamy
Duong Duc Toan, the manager of Nana Backpack hostel displays a bottle of vodka, in the bar of the hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
The hostel's manager told AP more than 100 guests received free shots of Lao vodka from their bar on November 12, with no one else reporting health issues. Picture: Alamy

The US State Department confirmed that an American had died and Denmark's Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens also died in "the incident in Laos" but neither would comment directly on a link to the methanol poisoning that killed Ms Jones.

The hostel's manager told the Associated Press that more than 100 guests received free shots of Lao vodka from their bar on November 12, with no one else reporting health issues.

Landlocked Laos is one of south-east Asia's poorest nations and a popular tourist destination.

Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.

Tourists at Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos
Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Picture: Alamy

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

President Donald Trump speaks with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump doubles down on pledge to 'take over Gaza', as Netanyahu threatens return to war if Israeli hostages not freed

The Princess of Wales, Patron of Action for Children, during a visit to a mother and baby unit inside HMP Styal in Wilmslow

Kate met with wolf-whistles and cries for 'more funding' as she visits women's prison

Domestic cat balancing on garden fence, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Police hunt mystery cat coiffeur after felines in rural Lincolnshire village return home missing patches of fur

Liam Payne and Maya Henry

Liam Payne 'smoked heroin and sexted fans': Bombshell revelations as ex-fiancee breaks silence on star's death

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has said Yvette Cooper will 'make sure' vetting of Metropolitan Police officers is 'overhauled'

Home secretary will ensure 'overhaul' of Met vetting process following controversial High Court ruling, Phillipson says

Exclusive
James Cleverly

James Cleverly slams 'Orwellian' assisted dying bill as High Court judge sign-off to be scrapped

The Church of England's governing body has voted against a fully independent safeguarding body

Church of England vote 'a punch in the gut for victims' as Synod rejects independent safeguarding

Oliver Ryan and Andrew Gwynne have been suspended

Eleven Labour councillors suspended for being part of offensive WhatsApp group after two MPs also punished

A major travel agent has urged families to go on holiday during Easter rather than the summer

Save thousands by going on holiday at Easter instead of summer, British families told

Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to tear up the ceasefire deal

Netanyahu’s ultimatum to Hamas: Return hostages by Saturday deadline or ceasefire gives way to 'intense fighting'

Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney were in attendance at Denis Law's funeral

Stars pay final respects to Denis Law as Manchester United legend laid to rest

Strangers bar is to reopen following spiking allegation

MPs bar to reopen with extra security after spiking claims

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour

Post-mortem results reveal fatal injuries of British couple found dead at home in rural French village

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

The Huszti sisters

Bodies recovered from river in Scotland confirmed as missing sisters

Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson arrives at Derby Crown Court, where he is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm between May 13 and 17 2020 and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour between May 2015 and June 2023,

Wife of Bargain Hunt star 'paralysed with fear' when husband Charles Hanson 'attacked' her while pregnant