Six people, including a British backpacker, have died allegedly after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos. British backpacker and lawyer Simone White, 28, from Orpington in Kent was among those to have died from suspected methanol poisoning after allegedly being served free drinks in Laos ‘s Vang Vieng area . Two Danes, two Australians and an American have also died after being taken to the hospital with similar symptoms.
A New Zealander is among those unwell and being treated, and the country’s foreign ministry said there had been “several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks”. Laos police are investigating the case. Two Australian teens, identified as Holly Bowles, 19, and Bianca Jones, 19, have died from suspected methnol poisoning.
Bowles, who had been in critical condition on life support after drinking the tainted alcohol in Laos, died in a hospital in Bangkok, her family said on Friday . “We are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” her family said in a statement sent to Australian Network 10. “We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people.
” Earlier on Thursday, Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese announced that 19-year-old citizen, Bianca Jones, had died in a Thai hospital where she had been evacuated for emergency treatment, and that her friend – Bowles – remained in a hospital “fighting for her life”. The two 19-year-old Aus.