Laos methanol poisonings: Australian teens among six tourists dead as countries warn of suspected methanol poisonings in Vang Vieng

CNN — An Australian teenager has become the sixth foreign tourist to die in a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos, as a growing list of countries warned of the potentially fatal consequences of drinking tainted alcohol in the Southeast Asian country. Her law firm, Squire Patton Boggs, paid tribute to White on Friday, saying she had a “bright future ahead of her.” According to Britain’s PA Media news agency, White’s parents said in a statement that they were “devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter.” They added that their “hearts go out” to the other families “affected by this terrible tragedy.” The US State Department confirmed to CNN on Thursday that an American citizen had died in Vang Vieng. On Saturday, the Laos government said investigations were underway to find out the cause of the deaths and vowed to “bring the perpetrators to justice.” The government “is profoundly saddened over the loss of lives of foreign tourists in Vang Vieng District … and expresses its sincere sympathy and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” it said in a short statement, adding that it values the safety of tourists. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to one of its nationals who reported feeling unwell “and may be a victim of methanol poisoning in Laos.” “Travelers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances,” it said. “The United States Embassy is aware of a number of cases of suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, possibly through the consumption of methanol-laced alcoholic drinks,” the US Embassy in Laos said in a health alert.