22-11-2024 (VIENTIANE) A devastating incident involving tainted alcohol in Laos has claimed its fifth victim, as 28-year-old British lawyer Simone White succumbed to methanol poisoning, adding to the growing toll of foreign nationals affected by contaminated spirits in the Southeast Asian nation.
White, who practised law in southeast London, fell critically ill after consuming drinks that authorities later confirmed were laced with lethal levels of methanol. The British Foreign Ministry confirmed her death, stating they are “supporting the family” and maintaining close communication with Laotian authorities.
The tragic series of events has also claimed the lives of four other tourists in the backpacker haven of Vang Vieng, including 19-year-old Australian Bianca Jones, who passed away at a Thai hospital on Thursday. Two Danish nationals and an American tourist were also among the casualties.
Speaking to reporters, Police Colonel Phattanawong Chanphon of Thailand’s Udon Thani province revealed that medical examinations of Jones showed “elevated methanol levels resulting in cerebral oedema,” following her admission to hospital on 13 November.
The incident has cast a spotlight on the persistent challenge of counterfeit alcohol production in Laos, where fake versions of established brands and unregulated home-brewed spirits pose significant risks to unwitting consumers. Both the Australian and British governments have intensified their travel advisories, urging nationals to exercise extreme caution regarding alcohol consumption in the region.
