Sixth person dies from methanol-laced cocktails in Laos; Dutch woman leaves hospital

A second Australian tourist has died after drinking alcohol that was laced with methanol in Vang Vieng, Laos. That brings the total number of deaths to six, NOS reports. A Dutch woman who became ill has since left the hospital.

19-year-old Holly Bowles had been in critical condition in a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, for days before she succumbed. Her friend, 19-year-old Bianca Jones, died earlier this week. In addition to the two Australian teenagers, the methanol-laced alcohol has also claimed the lives of a British woman, an American man, and two Danish tourists.

The police in Laos arrested the manager and owner of the hotel where the two Australian women were staying. Local authorities are investigating, but have released very little information.

According to NOS, illegal alcohol distilling is quite common in Laos. Distillers sometimes add methanol to make the drink stronger for less money. Methanol is highly toxic and humans can die after consuming even a small amount.

The Southeast Asian country is very popular with backpackers. A popular pastime in Vang Vieng is tubing - floating on the river on a tube while drinking.

Several countries have issued warnings for citizens traveling to Laos. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Dutch tourists in Vang Vieng to not leave their food or drink unattended. “Also in other places in Laos.”