Vientiane, Laos

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The death toll due to an alcohol poisoning incident in Laos has climbed to five after a British tourist was declared dead. A report by BBC on Friday (Nov 22) said that the British tourist was 28-year-old Simone White.

"We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities," the British foreign office said on Thursday.

The other four victims in the incident are from the US, Australia and Denmark. 

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'Every parent's worst nightmare'

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a hospital in Thailand.

A report by the news agency Associated Press on Friday said that a friend of Jones was also hospitalised in Thailand.

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Prime Minister Albanese said that this tragedy was "every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure."

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"...we also take this moment to say that we’re thinking of Bianca’s friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life,” Albanese added.

The Associated Press report said that the two Australian women fell ill on November 13 after a night out drinking with a group.

They are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used as the alcohol in mixed drinks at disreputable bars and can cause severe poisoning or death.

The American and Danish victims

US State Department officials told the news agency that an American tourist died in the incident, but refused to elaborate further out of respect for the victim's family.

The other two victims in the tragedy were from Denmark, but the foreign ministry would not elaborate as well. 

A Kiwi who fell sick could be victim of methanol poisoning

Meanwhile, New Zealand's foreign ministry said on Thursday that one of its citizens was also unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning.

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“We have updated our travel advisory for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks,” the foreign ministry said.

"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 added.  

(With inputs from agencies)