Breakthrough in Laos methanol poisoning with deadly ‘source uncovered’ after British lawyer among six backpackers killed

Police have arrested the owner of a factory near Vientiane, Laos, after being identified as the source of methanol-poisoned alcohol that killed six foreign tourists.

The manufacturing facility, which produced Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whiskey, has been shut down by authorities following the deaths of backpackers who consumed contaminated drinks.

The breakthrough comes after a deadly outbreak that claimed the lives of six people, including two Australian teenagers, who had been staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel.

Twelve people have now been arrested in connection with the case, which has prompted Laos authorities to ban the sale and consumption of Tiger-branded spirits nationwide.

Among the victims were Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, who fell ill whilst holidaying in Vang Vieng, a tourist town 129km north of Vientiane.

The best friends were evacuated to separate hospitals in Thailand on November 13, where they later died.

Other victims included Danish women Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Frela Vennervald Sorensen, 21.

A 57-year-old American man, James Louis Hutson, and British lawyer Simone White, 28, also lost their lives after consuming the contaminated drinks.

Jones and Bowles had spent the evening at Nana’s bar and nearby Jaidee Bar before becoming ill and failing to check out of their rooms.

The rundown factory, located on the outskirts of Vientiane, has been ordered to remain closed until safety standards are met.

The Ministry of Health’s Department of Food and Drugs in Laos stated the drinks will stay banned until “the manufacturer improves the factory production process to ensure safety and quality according to standards”.

The abandoned facility now stands empty, with blue plastic drapes covering piles of empty bottles.

Tiger Whisky packaging was discovered next to the remnants of a small fire outside the premises.

SmartTraveller has updated its travel advice for Laos, warning Australians to avoid these drinks due to “serious safety concerns”.

Eight staff members from Nana Backpackers Hostel have been arrested by police in connection with the poisonings.

Among those detained were two Indian men, aged 24 and 30, and a 35-year-old Filipino woman who worked at the hostel.

No charges have yet been laid against any of the people arrested in relation to the case.

The bodies of Jones and Bowles were flown home to Melbourne on November 26, following their tragic deaths in Thai hospitals.

Bowles died after several days in intensive care on November 21, whilst Jones passed away one day earlier.

Mark Jones, father of victim Bianca, called for continued action following his daughter’s return to Melbourne.

“I was happy to hear that there’s been some movement over in Laos, I will continue to urge our government to pursue whoever was responsible,” Jones said.

“We cannot have our girls passing and this continuing to happen.”

It has emerged that travellers had previously attempted to warn others through Google reviews about methanol-laced drinks at Nana Backpackers Hostel.

One reviewer wrote: “Do not go here!! They have methanol in their drinks and me and 3 others have been hospitalised because of this.”

The hostel had dismissed these warnings as “slander” before they were subsequently deleted from Google.