Six foreign tourists have died from a suspected methanol poisoning in Laos. Multiple countries are issuing warnings about the dangers of consuming tainted alcohol in the region.

The deaths occurred in Vang Vieng, a popular backpacker destination, and include a British woman, an American, two Danes, and another Australian teenager, according to local authorities. The scenic rural town in northern Laos has long been a favorite among backpackers. Once famed as a major party hotspot, it gained notoriety for its culture of excessive drinking, readily available drugs, and river tubing, activities often associated with a series of tragic fatalities over the years.

Holly Bowles, 19, had been in critical condition on life support for several days after being evacuated to neighboring Thailand following a night out in Laos. Her friend, Bianca Jones, also 19, tragically passed away on Thursday, according to CNN affiliate Seven News.

“It is with broken hearts and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” Bowles’ family said in a statement late on Friday, Seven News reported.

 

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

“Holly was living her best life traveling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese informed parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones, from Melbourne, passed away after being evacuated from Vang Vieng to a hospital in Thailand for treatment. Thai authorities attribute Jones death to swelling of the brain caused by elevated methanol levels in her system.

According to The Guardian, The UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed it is “supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos” and is in contact with local authorities regarding the incident.

Simone White, 28, from Orpington in southeast London, was among several individuals hospitalized following the suspected methanol poisoning in the popular backpacker destination of Vang Vieng last week.

Additional British tourists are reportedly receiving treatment after consuming alcoholic beverages allegedly contaminated with methanol. Reports suggest that up to six British nationals have required medical attention.

Simone White was a lawyer with the global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, specializing in general commercial matters as well as intellectual property law, according to the firm’s website. 

The U.S. State Department confirmed the death of an American citizen, while Denmark’s foreign ministry reported the deaths of two of its citizens in what it referred to as “the incident in Laos.” However, neither government directly linked the fatalities to methanol poisoning.

New Zealand’s foreign ministry disclosed that one of its citizens in Laos is unwell and may also be a victim of methanol poisoning.

Methanol, highly toxic when ingested, has brought renewed attention to its dangers in Southeast Asia. In the region, bootleg liquor—often made from rice or sugarcane—is commonly brewed, with methanol sometimes used as a cheaper substitute for ethanol.

Laotian authorities are actively investigating the incident, with samples sent to Thailand for testing and confirmation. 

“The minute you have people drinking and getting sick in a high number and the symptoms start after a certain time, that is methanol until proven otherwise,” he said. “To me, this is no doubt caused by methanol.” said Prof Knut Erik Hovda, an advisor to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) per The Guardian.

Per MSF data Asia has some of the highest rates of methanol poisoning in the world. Laos, one of Southeast Asia’s poorest nations, has faced significant challenges from soaring inflation in recent years. Tourism remains a vital source of income for the country’s fragile economy.