British tourist who fell ill from methanol poisoning in Laos dies

UK

One of the six British tourists being treated for methanol poisoning in Laos has died.

Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, had fallen ill after reportedly drinking “free shots” from a local bar in the resort of Vang Vieng, according to reports.

“We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities,” the foreign office said.

Four people had already been killed after the poisonings – an Australian named Bianca Jones, 19, from Melbourne, as well as two Danish women in their 20s and a 56-year-old US citizen.

Bianca Jones
Image:
Bianca Jones

A friend of Ms White had posted on a Laos Backpacking Facebook group to warn other travellers after the group fell ill.

“Urgent – please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars,” she wrote.

“Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.”

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