A British lawyer has died after being served drinks laced with a toxic substance whilst holidaying in Laos, with the death toll now rising to five from a suspected mass 'methanol-laced alcohol poisoning'.
Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, fell ill last week after her drink was allegedly spiked with the drug whilst she was staying in the backpacker town of Vang Vieng.
At least 11 people, including Britons, remain in hospital after allegedly being served laced drinks at a bar.
An Australian teenager, two Danish women aged in their twenties, and an American are among those reported to have died after the incident in the backpacker town.
Simone White is the fifth person to die from the suspected mass 'methanol-laced alcohol poisoning'
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities."
Her family have said in a statement: "“We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter Simone. 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."
Her employer, Squire Patton Boggs, 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 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.”
Australian teen Bianca Jones’ death was confirmed by her family hours ago, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing it to parliament.
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The US State Department confirmed an American had died, whilst Denmark's Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens also died from "the incident in Laos".
Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel. Staff discovered that the guests were ill when numerous tourists failed to check out on November 12.
It is not known where the contaminated drinks were sold.
The 28-year-old was an associate lawyer specialising in intellectual property and technology at the London office of the American law firm Squire Patton Boggs.
Bethany Clarke, also from Orpington and a friend of White, issued an urgent warning to other travellers in the area.
"Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as so not worth it," she wrote on a Facebook group for backpackers.
Bethany Clarke, also from Orpington and a friend of White, issued an urgent warning to other travellers in the area
Clarke described how she became "very fatigued and then fainted, then just felt nauseous and then my liver started to shut down."
"I got to the private hospital in time but underwent many infusions and tablets and days of recovery," she added.
Duong Duc Toan, the owner of Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, denies serving tainted drinks at his establishment.
Toan said he had served more than 100 guests free shots of Lao Tiger vodka mixed with ice and Coke Zero that evening.
"Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng," he said.
"The police in Vang Vieng and [the capital] Vientiane already came to the hostel to check, the shop [where] we buy the vodka, check the shop [where] we buy the whisky."
