British Lawyer Dies After Methanol Incident in Laos

A backpacker hostel owner has been arrested in Laos after five tourists, including British lawyer Simone White, died from suspected methanol poisoning. White, 28, fell ill after consuming free shots at Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, leading to her death on Thursday. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office is assisting her family and other affected British nationals, with reports indicating that at least 11 individuals remain hospitalized. The victims are believed to have been served drinks laced with methanol, a toxic substance often used as a cheaper alternative to ethanol. In addition to White, an Australian teenager and two Danish tourists have also died, while many others suffered severe health issues. The hostel's management denies serving the contaminated drinks, as local authorities continue their investigation.