Laos methanol poisonings latest: Tributes paid to British lawyer with ‘bright future’ as sixth death confirmed – UK Times

A tribute has been paid to 28-year-old Simone White, from Oprington in south-east London, after she was confirmed dead from suspected alcohol poisoning.

She was a lawyer with global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, whose work involved general commercial matters, and contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law issues, according to the firm’s website.

In a statement, the law firm said: “It is with deep sadness that we mourn the tragic passing of our dear friend and colleague Simone White.

“Simone was a talented colleague with a bright future ahead of her and someone who epitomised (our firm’s) values.

“Our thoughts go out to all of Simone’s family, friends and those colleagues and clients who had the privilege to work with and know Simone. She will be sincerely missed.”

Two Danes, two Australians and an American have also died after being taken to the hospital with similar symptoms.

But what is methanol, and how can tourists avoid it?

Read the full explainer here:

Landlocked Laos is one of south-east Asia’s poorest nations and a popular tourist destination.

Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.

Officials in Laos have released almost no details about the case, with the government keeping a tight lid on information.

The country is a one-party communist state with no organised opposition.

Methanol is readily absorbed and distributed throughout the body. It is metabolised to formic acid, which is toxic in large concentrations.

The US National Institutes of Health says it is well established that methanol has serious acute toxic effects that occur at high levels of exposure.

The NHS warns that as little as 4ml of methanol can cause hallucinations and blindness.

Half an hour to two hours after consuming methanol symptoms include drowsiness, confusion and irritability. Later symptoms include dizziness, vomiting, severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Severe cases may lead to fast, shallow breathing, then coma and convulsions.

Patients may be given dialysis.

Methanol, a colourless liquid with a faintly sweet pungent smell, completely mixes with water. It’s very similar to ethanol – the pure form of alcohol in alcoholic drinks.

Unlike ethanol, however, methanol is toxic to humans and is commonly used as a solvent in industrial processes, a precursor for producing formaldehyde and an ingredient in products like antifreeze and fuel.

• A precursor for producing formaldehyde and other chemicals.
• An ingredient in antifreeze, paint thinners, and fuel.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng for treatment in a Thai hospital.

Australia said “several foreign nationals” had been victims of methanol poisoning.

The US State Department confirmed that an American had died and Denmark’s Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens also died in “the incident in Laos” but neither would comment directly on a link to the methanol poisoning that killed Ms Jones.

Thai authorities confirmed Ms Jones died because of a “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system”.

A Dutch tourist who says two of his friends have died in the suspected methanol poisoning is compiling a list of those impacted.

Arthur is inviting those who believe they have had methanol-contaminated drinks in Vang Vieng to fill out a Google document form he has shared on Facebook groups.

It asks where the person stayed, where they went out drinking and when they were there. Writing in the document, he said: “This collective effort can help identify patterns, provide warnings to others, and potentially hold those responsible accountable.”

Speaking to The Independent, he said: “I will spread my information as soon as I can, thank you for understanding.”

Those poisoned in the incident are believed to have been served drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death.

Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said staff were told by other guests that the women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on 13 November, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.

He said the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel two days earlier.

He said no other guest reported any issue, adding that the alleged victims had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.

An officer at Vang Vieng’s Tourism Police office said no charges have been filed but a “number of people” have been detained in connection with the case.

Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which is still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning.

No one has been charged with the incident.