FOR many Brits, the serene landscapes of Laos provide the perfect stage for wanderlust-fueled adventures. But the popular Asian country has been rocked by a series of chilling tragedies that have led governments to issue warnings to visitors . This week, it was reported that six people have died after drinking shots thought to have been be laced with methanol.
On Thursday afternoon, it was reported that British lawyer Simone White , from Orpington, Kent, had also passed away after falling ill and spending days at a hospital. The 28-year-old was among six Brits who were rushed to hospital after being poisoned by alcoholic drinks last week Tuesday evening. On Friday morning, Holly Bowles , 19, became the latest person to die after consuming an alcoholic drink at a bar in Van Vieng, a small town popular with backpackers.
Her best friend, 19-year-old Bianca Jones died earlier this week. A Thai police official said: "The physician who examined her said the cause of death was a methanol poisoning from fake liquor. "The amount of methanol in her body was high, leading to swelling of the brain.
" Two Danish women in their 20s and an unnamed American citizen, 56, have also lost their lives. The spate of poisonings has raised alarms, with authorities scrambling to determine the root cause behind the contaminations. Cops have now detained the owner of the hostel Simone and her group were staying in before being poisoned, who served free shots to visitors on arrival.
He has denied his Tig.
