BRITISH backpackers have told of their terror after a sixth person died yesterday following a mass methanol poisoning at a party hostel.
Holly Bowles, 19, lost her nine-day fight for life in hospital, her family said, after she fell ill from downing free toxic shots in Laos, Southeast Asia.
Fellow Aussie Bianca Jones, 19, Brit Simone White, 28, two Danish women in their 20s and an American, 56, have also died after partying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng on November 12.
Several others, including Brits, are still being treated in hospital.
It is believed that their drinks were spiked with methanol to thin them out, a common practice in Laos. It is a cheaper, but more toxic, alternative to ethanol.
Others fear a deadly batch of booze could still be circulating in the small town which is referred to jokingly as Vodka Vodka for its reputation as a gap-year party town.
Police have detained several people in connection with the deaths and hostel staff confirmed its manager, Duong Duc Toan, and owner were among them. It is understood that no-one has yet been charged.
Yesterday Brit backpacker Tasha Moore, 22, who has been staying in Vang Vieng, said travellers were “all terrified” by the incident.
Tasha, of Stockport, Gtr. Manchester, told The Sun: “This could have happened to any of us.
“There’s an eerie feeling to the town and we’re making sure we’re always in groups. Everyone is avoiding the bars and clubs.
“Every hostel advertises free drinks and shots but in this case we don’t know if drinks were spiked or the hostel took a short-cut.
“If they were spiked then there’s potentially a killer walking around.”
Tasha, who is travelling solo after completing a degree in criminology, added: “Everyone is trying to leave town but train tickets are difficult to get.
“Those still here are not touching spirits or free drinks. People are drinking from bottles and we’re opening them ourselves.” Grace Pugh, from Cambridge, and Ruby Thomas, from Edinburgh, both 22, are also visiting the town.
Grace said: “We were shocked by the deaths. It was very scary. This is supposed to be such a fun and exciting time for us. You’re so high on life and feel invincible.”
Ruby said: “People think it’s just a problem from one hostel, but no one knows the source of this. Is there another batch of this poison out there somewhere or did someone do this?”
Neil Farmiloe, a New Zealander who owns a restaurant in town, said: “Hopefully this is just a one-off incident.
“It’s very sad all round. I’m sure nobody intended to cause injury.”
METHANOL is a super- toxic alcohol used in products like antifreeze.
It can be illegally added to make drinks stronger or be produced if they are brewed or distilled badly.
Just a shot of contaminated booze can kill, with 4ml of methanol enough to cause blindness.
Poisoning symptoms include vomiting, seizures and dizziness. A key way of treating a victim is to get them drunk with normal alcohol as it distracts the liver and stops it processing the methanol.
