The backpacker hostel at the centre of a suspected mass alcohol poisoning in Laos continued to operate for nine days after the first victim was found dead in his room, according to local reports.
As police continue to question the owner of the Nana Backpacker guesthouse, they revealed that the first victim was only discovered after concerned staff used a master key to go into his room.
An initial report into the deaths of six backpackers shows that the hotel continued to check in new guests even after the first three victims were found ‘unresponsive’.
American James Louis Hutson, 57, was found on his bed on November 13. Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, were found unconscious on the same day.
All three are believed to have died from suspected methanol poisoning, as well as British lawyer Simone White, 28, and Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19.
Ms White’s parents paid an emotional tribute to their ‘beautiful, kind and loving daughter’ following her death last week.
They said: ‘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’, they said.
‘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.’
Police in Laos have detained the manager and owner of a hostel.
An officer at Vang Vieng’s Tourism Police office said no charges have been filed but a ‘number of people’ have been detained in connection with the case.
Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which is still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning.
The FCDO said it was in contact with the local authorities regarding the British nationals affected.
Those poisoned in the incident are believed to have been served drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol.
Methanol is a colourless liquid that tastes similar to alcohol and is a byproduct of bootlegged liquor. Consuming even a small amount can lead to blindness, multiple organ failure and death.
Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said staff were told by other guests that the 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 the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel two days earlier.
He said no other guest reported any issue, adding that the alleged victims had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.
