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Another victim who fell ill after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos has been identified as British lawyer Simone White.
White, 28, is believed to have been traveling with a friend and is in hospital.
She works as a lawyer at the American law firm Squire Patton Boggs.
A US citizen was reportedly the third person to die from suspected methanol poisoning, with Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones, 19, the fourth person to die today.
Her best friend Holly Bowles remains in hospital on life support in Thailand after they both fell seriously ill while in Vang Vieng, Laos, near the Thai border.
Tourists are believed to have drunk contaminated drinks contaminated with methanol last week.
The couple were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng and had been drinking at the hostel before going to Jaidee Bar on November 11.
They then did not leave their dorm for 24 hours and failed to check out as scheduled before being rushed to hospitals.
Asked about media reports about the poisoning deaths of two Danes, Denmark’s foreign ministry told The Associated Press that “two Danish nationals have died in Laos” but could not provide details for “confidentiality in personal matters”.
A tourist from New Zealand is believed to be among those in the hospital.
A major investigation is now underway in Laos.
Duong Duc Toan, manager of Nana Backpacker Hostel, said on Tuesday that other guests told staff that the two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and arranged for them to be transported to hospital.
He said two days earlier the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free glasses of Lao vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality.
He said no other guests reported any problems, adding that the women then went on 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 the staff had stopped giving free injections to guests.
Bowles’ father Shaun Bowles spoke for the first time yesterday after the families of both teenagers flew to Thailand to be with them.
“Our daughter remains in the intensive care unit, she is in critical condition. She is on ventilators,” he said.
“We’d just like to thank everyone back home for all the support and love.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a statement to parliament following news of Jones’ death.
“We have received very sad confirmation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that Bianca Jones has tragically lost her life,” Albanese said.
“Our first thoughts at this time are with her family and friends who are grieving this terrible and cruel loss.
“This is every parent’s worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.”
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