Up to 100 tourists downed shots in Laos bar before Brit Simone White drank ‘deadly methanol’ as tragic timeline emerges

Hours before numerous visitors, including British lawyer Simone White, fell unwell and six of them died, up to 100 tourists took shots in the bar of a backpacker accommodation in Laos.

In an attempt to solve the unfortunate situation, police have opened an investigation and are questioning employees at a hostel where 100 visitors were offered free shots.

Where the reportedly methanol-laced cocktails were sipped and the precise number of sick visitors still in the hospital are unknown.

The proprietor and manager of the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, a well-known tourist destination where the event occurred last week, have been taken into custody by police.

Duong Duc Toan, the hostel’s manager and bartender, had earlier denied that any of the beverages offered there could have caused the vacationers to become unwell.

However, he claimed that just hours before the disaster, some 100 visitors received complimentary vodka shots.

Two Australian women, both 19 years old, and a British woman, Simone White, 28, were among the tourists who passed away in the hospital this week.

In Vang Vieng, an unidentified American male in his 50s and two nameless Danish ladies in their 20s perished.

It is thought that methanol-tainted drinks were served to the people who were poisoned in the incident.

Although it can result in fatalities or serious poisoning, the poisonous substance is occasionally employed as a less expensive substitute for ethanol.

FIRST BOUT OF ILLNESS

According to Toan, other visitors informed the hostel staff in Nana that two women had become ill last week.

On Wednesday, November 13, they were notified when Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, two Australian women, did not check out as scheduled.

The two 19-year-old ladies were taken to the hospital by staff.

According to Toan, they were among those who received free shots of Lao vodka as a welcome gift from the guesthouse.

He added that they returned early the next morning (Wednesday 13) after spending the night out.

Bianca was flown to Bangkok Hospital in Thailand, where she was placed on life support, while Holly was reportedly evacuated to a hospital in the capital city of Vientiane, Laos.

According to her family, Bianca was on a “dream getaway with her best friend Holly” when she passed unexpectedly on Thursday, November 21.

The statement read: “We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our sister and cherished daughter, Bianca Jones.

“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.”

Holly’s parents confirmed that she passed away on Friday.

“With broken hearts, we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” her father Shaun told Nine News.

“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people.”

To be with their daughters before they passed away, both families had taken flights to the hospitals.

BRIT WOMAN DIES

According to the British Foreign Office, Simone White, a British woman of 28 years old, also passed away in Laos from what was believed to be methanol poisoning.

Along for the ride was the lawyer from Orpington, Kent, and her friend Bethany Clarke, who is currently in the hospital due to illness.

Following the pair’s illness last week, Bethany shared a terrifying message on the Laos Backpacking Facebook page.

“Urgently, please stay away from all local spirits,” she warned.

“We drank complimentary shots from one of the pubs while our group was in Vang Vieng.

“Just stay away from them; it’s not worth it. Currently, six of us who shared a drinking location are hospitalized due to methanol poisoning.

Bethany went on to say that she was extremely tired, fainted, felt queasy, and then her liver began to shut down.

She went on to say: “I got to the private hospital in time but underwent many infusions and tablets and days of recovery.”

Whether the two women received care at the same hospital is unknown.

Hours after Australian teen Bianca’s death, Simone was officially declared dead on Thursday.

The Foreign Office acknowledged that: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities.”

The law firm where Simone worked released the following statement: “We deeply regret the untimely death of our beloved friend and coworker Simone White.

Simone was a gifted coworker who embodied the ideals of our company and had a bright future ahead of her.

“All of Simone’s family, friends, coworkers, and clients who had the honor of working with and getting to know Simone are in our prayers. Her absence will be deeply felt.

HOSPITAL HORROR

Thai police confirmed Thursday that Australian adolescent Bianca’s death was due to “methanol poisoning” in an interview with Reuters.

According to an official, the doctor who examined her determined that methanol intoxication from counterfeit liquor was the cause of death.

“The amount of methanol in her body was high, leading to swelling of the brain.”

Regarding Bianca’s passing, Thai police commander Phattanawong Chanphon stated: “Despite receiving medical attention, she never regained consciousness after being brought up from Laos.

“The ingestion of methanol from counterfeit booze is probably what caused the fatality.

“It’s poison and cannot be consumed.”

The only person whose death has been identified as being brought on by methanol poisoning is Bianca.

It is estimated that 12 more persons, including British citizens, are still gravely ill.

According to the Foreign Ministry of New Zealand, one of its nationals fell ill in Laos and may have contracted methanol poisoning.

POLICE PROBE

Police arrested a number of hostel employees on Friday; photos show health inspectors examining their paperwork and interrogating receptionists.

No charges have been brought yet, an unidentified Vang Vieng tourism police officer told AP.

The hostel staff subsequently verified that the owner and management were among those detained by law enforcement.

The location is still open, but no new visitors are being accepted.

Police have not yet provided an official statement on the development or identified the people who are being held for interrogation.

It’s unclear how many of the impacted tourists were hostel guests or whether they all took part in the free shots.

Manager Toan has maintained that they purchase their goods from a licensed distributor and that they were not served any tainted booze at the hostel bar.

He had previously stated to AP: “Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng.”

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