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A sixth person has died after drinking fake alcohol shots suspected of being laced with poisonous methanol during a backpacking holiday in Laos.
Nineteen-year-old Australian Holly Bowles was confirmed as the sixth death linked to reportedly ‘tainted shots’ at a popular tourist spot in Vang Vieng earlier this month.
It follows the death of 28-year-old lawyer Simone White, from Orpington, on Thursday, 19-year-old Bianca Jones, also from Australia who was travelling with Bowles, a 56-year-old American and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20.
All are thought to have died after allegedly ingesting tainted drinks at Nana Backpacker Hostel, where online reviews mention “free unlimited shots”.
The hostel manager and owner have reportedly been detained by police.
BBC News reports methanol poisoning is a well-known problem across South East Asia, particularly in developing countries along the Mekong river.
We’re joined by Andrea Sella, professor of chemistry at University College London, to examine the dangers of methanol consumption and its impact on the human body.
In part two, The London Standard’s transport editor Ross Lydall discusses the latest data on London’s busiest rail stations, and visits Liverpool Street to report on the latest redevelopment plans amid a forecast passenger boom.
You can find The Standard on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.
