Briton Simone White dies after suspected mass poisoning in Laos
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A British lawyer has died after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, Southeast Asia, which is believed to have killed four other people.
Simone White, 28, from Orpington, south-east London, was one of a number of people taken to hospital after the incident in the tourist town of Vangvieng.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said in a statement that it was supporting her family.
Previously, 19-year-old Bianca Jones from Australia was confirmed dead, while the U.S. State Department said an American had died. Danish authorities said two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, also died last week.
News reports and testimonies on social media from other tourists suggested they may have consumed drinks containing methanol, a deadly substance commonly found in bootleg alcohol.
Many of the victims stayed at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where staff were told guests became ill after failing to check out on November 13.
Ms. White is an associate at global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, where her practice involves general commercial matters and contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law issues, according to the firm’s website.
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According to Australian media reports, Ms Jones’ friend Holly Bowles, also Australian, is currently receiving life support in hospital.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told local media on Thursday that a citizen had also become unwell due to suspected methanol poisoning.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry said a Dutch tourist had been taken to hospital and was in stable condition. It’s unclear how many more people are sick.
The U.S. State Department said it was “closely monitoring” the situation of the U.S. victims and leaving it to local authorities to determine the cause of death.
Authorities in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have all warned their citizens to beware of methanol poisoning when drinking alcohol in Laos.
Vang Vieng is a riverside town in central Laos and a hub for backpackers traveling through Southeast Asia. This is home to the Banana Pancake Trail, a popular backpacking route across Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.