Laos methanol poisoning: Police issue update after six tourists including Brit lawyer die

Vang Vieng police have released an update following the deaths of six tourists including Brit Simone White - and confirmed several members of staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel have been arrested

Police have issued a major update as they investigate the death of six backpackers at a tourist hotspot - and confirmed there have been several arrests.

Eight staff members from the Nana Backpacker Hostel in the busy area of Vang Veing, Laos, have been detained, according to local media. The workers, aged between 23 to 47, are in custody following the mass poisoning of visitors. It has been reported that staff detained are thought to all be Vietnamese nationals.

The arrests come after a number of tourists dropped ill after they consumed alcohol, which was unknowingly mixed with suspected methanol, reports Daily Mail. The substance is sometimes added to alcoholic drinks in some countries where taxes on ethanol are too high. Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, was one of the victims who sadly died following the incident. Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both from Australia, also died last week from suspected poisoning.

Police in Laos earlier detained the manager and owner of the hostel in connection with the deaths. American James Louis Hutson, 57, and Danish holidaymakers Anne-Sofie Orkid Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, have been named as the other three victims, reports The Age.

The Laos government has said it is “profoundly saddened” and is investigating the deaths of six people from suspected methanol poisoning, including a British lawyer. It offered its condolences to their families. It added that is has been investigating “to find causes of the incident” and to “bring the perpetrators to justice”.

On Friday, Ms White’s parents said they are “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter”. In a statement, Ms White’s parents added: “Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful energy and spark for life.

"She was a soul who gave so much to so many and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues. Simone has been taken from us too soon, she will be sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family. Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.”