78 minutes ago Six people are dead after a suspected mass methanol poisoning at a backpacker party town. What went wrong in Laos?

As authorities detain a hostel owner in Vang Vieng, expert says the recent deaths are just the ‘tip of the iceberg’Vang Vieng is an unlikely party hub.Surrounded by striking limestone mountains and caves in central Laos, it morphed from a small farming town to a hedonistic party hub in the early 2000s. Enticed by boozy tubing experiences, throngs of twentysomething backpackers cemented its spot on south-east Asia’s famed backpacker trail. Continue reading...

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2 hours ago Chemistry expert on methanol poisoning after sixth Laos ‘tainted shots’ death ...The Standard podcast

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3 hours ago An idyllic paradise turned to tragedy: How the backpacking dream became a nightmare with six dead in Laos party town

A dark cloud now looms over the backpacking hotspot of Vang Vieng after Australian teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones and British lawyer Simone White died from suspected alcohol poisoning

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3 hours ago Family ‘devastated’ after British lawyer Simone White’s Laos methanol death

Ms White has been remembered as a ‘beautiful, kind and loving daughter’ who had the ‘most wonderful energy‘

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3 hours ago Methanol poisoning holiday hotspots exposed and grim way it attacks your body

Six backpackers staying in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng in Laos have died after a suspected methanol poisoning, but it's not just countries in south-east Asia where tragic cases have been reported

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4 hours ago Simone White: Parents of London lawyer who died in suspected methanol poisoning in Laos pay tribute

The parents of British lawyer Simone White who died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos have described her as a “beautiful, kind and loving daughter”.

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4 hours ago Laos methanol poisonings latest: Parents of killed British tourist pay tribute to ‘beautiful daughter’

Holly Bowles was taken to a Thai hospital after consuming ‘tainted’ alcohol shots in the backpacking hotspot of Vang Vieng

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4 hours ago How horror in Laos unfolded and terrifying warning days before Brit died from methanol poisoning

It is believed the tourists had all taken shots laced with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol (alcohol).

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4 hours ago Laos methanol poisoning: Brit lawyer who died after drinking 'poisoned shots' had 'spark for life'

Several people, including Brit lawyer Simone White have died after 14 people were rushed to hospital in Vang Vieng, Laos, with suspected methanol poisoning

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4 hours ago Laos methanol poisonings latest: Parents of British tourist killed pay tribute to ‘beautiful daughter’

Holly Bowles was taken to a Thai hospital after consuming ‘tainted’ alcohol shots in the backpacking hotspot of Vang Vieng

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