Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan pictured with a bottle of vodka at the bar(Image: AP)

Laos methanol poisoning: Chilling details emerge about vodka blamed for deaths of six

Six tourists including British lawyer Simon White, from Kent, tragically died following a mass poisoning at a hostel in Thailand - new details have sparked further questions about the parties at fault

by · The Mirror

New chilling details have emerged about the mass poisoning at a holiday hotspot as the death toll climbed to six tourists.

British lawyer Simon White, 28, tragically died from suspected methanol poisoning in the busy backpacking town of Vang Vieng. Methanol is sometimes added to alcoholic drinks in suspected countries where taxes on ethanol are too high. It is believed the victims consumed the substance mixed with vodka.

However, new details have since revealed that Tiger Vodka can be purchased in the area from a retail store in a 700ml bottle for 36p ( 1000 Kip ). It has been reported that bars can purchase spirits, which are “blended, bottled and distilled in Laos”, for even cheaper.

Simone White tragically died after drinking alcohol at a hostel( Image: Facebook)
Laos methanol poisoning: Brit woman 'went blind' after 'drinking vodka shots at hostel' where 6 diedA British woman claimed she lost her vision and became violently ill after drinking vodka at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos where six people have since diedBenedict Tetzlaff-Deas, 23 Nov 2024

The latest information has sparked questions on why workers at hostels or bars would use methanol. According to reports, another 11 foreign nationals remain hospitalised in serious condition. Teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both from Australia, also died last week from suspected poisoning.

American James Louis Hutson, 57, and Danish holidaymakers Anne-Sofie Orkid Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, have been named as the other three victims, reports The Age.

Australian Holly Bowels was hospitalised following the poisoning
Bianca Jones was named as the second Australian to have died following the incident

Local sources believe an error could have been made during the production process, reports Herald Sun. "Everything is owned by the government, or at least 90 per cent government owned,” one person said. “This could have been a mistake made at a government owned factory, that is a possible reason as to why it happened".

Police in Laos have detained the manager and owner of a hostel in connection with the death of Ms White and five others, who are also believed to have been poisoned. In a statement released to the media, the Laos government said it was “profoundly saddened” over the deaths of foreign tourists and offered its condolences to their families.

Freja Vennervald Sorensen pictured on holiday before her death( Image: Instagram)
Freja graduated from high school last year( Image: instagram)

It added that is has been investigating “to find causes of the incident” and to “bring the perpetrators to justice”. On Friday, Ms White’s parents said in a statement: “Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful 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 has been taken from us too soon, she will be sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family. Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.” An officer at Vang Vieng’s Tourism Police office said no charges have been filed but a “number of people” have been detained in the case.

Anne-Sofie Orkid Coyman also died following the mass incident( Image: Facebook)

Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which is still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning. The FCDO said it was also providing consular assistance to British nationals being treated in hospital after the incident, as well as their families.