Sixth tourist dies after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos

A sixth foreign tourist has died after apparently ingesting tainted alcohol while on holiday in Laos.

Australian Holly Bowles, 19, died a day after her friend Bianca Jones, also 19, died in the Bangkok hospital they were transferred to on 13 November after becoming ill.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: "All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles.

"Just yesterday, Holly lost her best friend, Bianca Jones."

Britain's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed that Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, had also died.

She was among a number of people taken to hospital following the incident in the popular backpacking town of Vang Vieng last week.

The US State Department confirmed that an American had died and Denmark's Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens died in "the incident in Laos" but neither would comment directly on a link to the methanol poisoning.

Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel - with staff being told that guests had fallen ill after they failed to check out on 13 November.

They are believed to have been served drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death.

Police in Laos have detained the manager and owner of the hostel in connection with the deaths of the six tourists.

Landlocked Laos is one of southeast Asia's poorest nations and a popular tourist destination.

Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.

Officials in Laos have released almost no details about the case, with the government keeping a tight lid on information.

The country is a one-party communist state with no organised opposition.

The Department of Foreign Affairs advises any Irish citizens travelling to Laos that there have been a number of incidents where tourists have had their drinks or food drugged and urged people not to leave their food or drinks unattended.

In advice on its website, the DFA also urges caution in planning any river-based sporting activities, particularly in Vang Vieng, where it said tourists have been killed or seriously injured taking part in activities such as tubing or jumping into the river.

Additional reporting PA