Laos hostel at centre of ‘mass methanol poisoning’ remained open for over a week after first victim was found dead
For more than a week following the discovery of the first deceased victim, the backpacker hostel in the epicenter of a suspected mass methanol poisoning remained open.
In Laos, six visitors were killed after their beverages were allegedly tainted with the lethal toxin, including 28-year-old British lawyer Simone White.
On November 13, a worker found the body of 57-year-old American James Hutson in his room next to two empty vodka bottles, according to a Lao official document.
After Hutson’s death, the hostel remained open for business for nine days before being shut down by police on Friday after five more.
The owner and manager of the Nana backpackers guesthouse in Vang Vieng has been taken into custody by police.
He and several employees deny any responsibility.
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The Laotian government acknowledged that it was looking into the fatalities and expressed its deep sadness.
Free vodka and whisky happy hours every night are claimed to have enticed guests to the hotel.
We believed the beverages must be diluted down and puzzled how they were so inexpensive, a British traveler told The Sun on Sunday.
However, there were moments when we felt the booze simply tasted different—almost clinical.
Up to twelve travelers—five of them are Britons—remain hospitalized.
Orpington, Kent resident Simone was traveling with her friend Bethany Clarke, who is also ill and in the hospital.
Hostel owner detained over death of Brit lawyer and 5 backpackers after free shots spiked in Laos
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