Six people have died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos

Southeast Asia has the "highest rates of methanol poisoning globally", said Al Jazeera, and this is often blamed on "economic pressures and weak regulations". Laos, despite its increasing popularity with backpackers, is one of the poorest nations in the region.

BANGKOK: Police in Laos have detained the manager and seven staff of a backpacker hostel in Vang Vieng following the deaths of six tourists from suspected methanol poisoning,

Officials arrested eight hostel workers in Laos on Monday for allegedly poisoning travelers with methanol, according to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corp.  Tourists reported illnesses

Authorities have named the American tourist who was one of five people to die of suspected methanol poisoning at a hostel in Laos. The victim is 57-year-old James Louis Hutson, the BBC reported, citing Laotian authorities.

Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, was one of a number of people taken to hospital after the incident in the popular backpacking town of Vang Vieng last week

What is methanol, symptoms of methanol poisoning and how can tourists avoid it after Laos deaths? - Foreign Office advises tourists how to avoid alcohol that may be accidentally toxic or may be counte

Staff from a backpacker hostel have been detained after six tourists died from suspected methanol poisoning after a night out.View on euronews

Police in Laos have detained the manager and seven workers of a backpacker hostel in Vang Vieng following the deaths of six tourists from suspected methanol poisoning, state media reported on Tuesday.