Laos tainted alcohol claims life of sixth tourist
A sixth young traveller has been pronounced dead after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos.
Holly Bowles, 19 had been on life support for several days.
She was pronounced dead at the weekend.
Her friend, Bianca Jones also 19 and from Australia, died last week.
Two Danish nationals, an American and British traveller Simone White, also died.
They had drunk shots at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos.
Two hostel staff members were detained by Vang Vieng’s Tourism Police but not charges have been filed yet.
The U.S. State Department joined other countries in issuing a warning for Americans travelling in Laos, advising of possible ‘methanol-laced alcoholic drinks.’
New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said a Kiwi was also taken ill with suspected methanol poisoning.
Methanol is sometimes added to alcoholic drinks to save costs and can be naturally produced during home-made liquor distillation.
Related News Stories: British tourist detained after woman's body discovered in hotel room Sixth tourist dies in tainted alcohol case in Laos Holly Bowles sixth to die of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos Laos methanol poisonings: Australian teens among six tourists dead ... TravelMole on X: "Laos tainted alcohol claims life of sixth tourist ... Two girls in their 20s tragically passed away after consuming drinks ... 6 Tourists Who Died Are Believed to Have Drunk Tainted Alcohol in ... Second Australian teen dies in tainted alcohol case in Laos that has ... Suspected Methanol Poisoning Claims Six Lives At Laos ... 6 tourists dead after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos – Radio Free Asia
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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