The Lao government is ‘saddened’ by suspected poisoning deaths and is investigating

The Lao government has said it is “deeply saddened” and investigating the deaths of six people from suspected methanol poisoning, including a British lawyer.

Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, was among those taken to hospital after the incident last week in the popular backpacking town of Vang Vieng.

Police in Laos have arrested the manager and owner of a hostel in connection with the deaths of Ms White and five others, who are also believed to have been poisoned.

In a statement to the media, the Lao government said it was “deeply saddened” by the deaths of foreign tourists and offered its condolences to their families.

It added that it was conducting investigations “to find the causes of the incident” and “bring the perpetrators to justice.”

On Friday, Mrs White’s parents said they were “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter”.

In a statement, Mrs White’s parents added: “Simone was one of a kind and had the most amazing energy and spark for life.

“She was a soul who gave so much to so many and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues.

“Simone was taken from us too soon, she will be greatly missed by her brother, grandmother and the entire family.

“Our thoughts go out to all the other families affected by this terrible tragedy.”

An officer from Vang Vieng’s tourist police said no charges had been filed, but a “number of people” had been arrested in the case.

Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which is still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed that the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning.

Ms. White was an attorney at the global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, whose work covered general commercial matters and controversial and non-controversial intellectual property law matters, according to the firm’s website.

In a statement, the law firm said Ms. White was a “talented colleague with a bright future ahead of her and someone who embodied the values ​​of (our firm).”

The FCDO said it was also providing consular assistance to British nationals receiving hospital treatment following the incident, as well as their families.

Five others are currently known to have died, including two Australian teenagers, an American and two Danish tourists.

The FCDO said it is liaising with local authorities about the affected UK nationals.

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

Duong Duc Toan, manager of Nana Backpacker Hostel, said staff were told by other guests that the women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and arranged transport to a hospital for them.

He said the women and more than 100 other guests had received free shots of Laotian vodka offered by the hostel two days earlier.

He said no other guests had reported any problems, adding that the alleged victims had then gone out for the evening and returned in the early hours of the morning.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told his country’s parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng for treatment at a Thai hospital.

A second Australian is said to have died after the incident on Friday.

Australia said “several foreign nationals” had fallen victim to methanol poisoning.

The U.S. State Department confirmed that one American had been killed and the Danish Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens also died in “the Laos incident,” but neither would comment directly on a link to the methanol poisoning involving Mrs. Jones was killed.

Thai authorities confirmed that Ms Jones died as a result of “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol in her system”.

Landlocked Laos is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia and a popular tourist destination.

Vang Vieng is especially popular among backpackers looking for parties and adventure sports.

Officials in Laos have released virtually no details about the case, with the government keeping a close eye on the information.

The country is a one-party communist state with no organized opposition.