British lawyer among those gravely ill after suspected mass poisoning in Laos

Another victim who fell ill after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos has been identified as British lawyer Simone White.

It’s believed White, 28, was travelling with a friend and remains in hospital.

She works as a lawyer at US law firm Squire Patton Boggs.

A US citizen was reportedly the third person to die from suspected methanol poisoning and today Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones, 19, was the fourth person to die.

Her best friend Holly Bowles remains in hospital on life support in Thailand after they both fell gravely ill while in Vang Vieng in Laos, near the Thai border.

It’s believed the tourists had imbibed tainted drinks contaminated with methanol last week.

The pair were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng and drank at the hostel before they went on to drink at Jaidee bar on November 11.

They then did not leave their dorm room for 24 hours and failed to check out as scheduled before they were rushed to hospitals.

Asked about media reports of the deaths of two Danes in the poisoning, Denmark’s Foreign Ministry told The Associated Press that “two Danish citizens have passed away in Laos” but that it could not provide specifics for “reasons of confidentiality in personal matters”.

It’s believed a New Zealand tourist is also among those in hospital.

A major investigation is now underway in Laos.

Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said Tuesday that staff were told by other guests that the two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.

He said that two days earlier the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality.

He said no other guest reported any issue, adding that the women had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.

Toan said he hoped the investigation would clear the hostel’s name, but for now, staff have stopped giving free shots to guests.

Bowles’ father Shaun Bowles spoke for the first time yesterday after the families of both teens flew to Thailand to be with them.

“Our daughter remains in the intensive care unit, in a critical condition. She’s on life support,” he said.

“We would just like to thank everyone back home for all the support and love.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement to parliament following news of Jones’ death.

“We’ve received the very sad confirmation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that tragically Bianca Jones has lost her life,” Albanese said.

“Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss.

“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.”