Calls for UK Travel Ban on Laos After Suspected Methanol Poisoning Incident

The mother of a woman killed by suspected methanol poisoning in Laos advocates for the UK to place the country on its travel no-go list. Simone White, a London lawyer, died alongside other travelers after consuming tainted alcohol at Nana Backpacker Hostel. Her friend, Bethany Clarke, is cooperating with Simone’s mother to increase awareness of methanol poisoning risks and seeking action from the Foreign Office.

The mother of Simone White, who tragically died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, is urging the UK government to place the country on its travel no-go list. Simone, a 28-year-old lawyer from London, succumbed to illness alongside two Australian backpackers, two Danes, and an American while visiting Vang Vieng, a well-known destination for backpackers. The group had been staying at the aptly named Nana Backpacker Hostel, which allegedly provided free alcoholic shots suspected to be tainted with methanol, a substance linked to severe health consequences including coma and death.

Accompanying Simone during her travels was her friend, Bethany Clarke, who, after an extensive recovery from hospitalization due to the incident, is now working with Sue White, Simone’s mother, to raise awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning. They seek to inform the public and encourage the Foreign Office to issue travel warnings regarding Laos, as they believe it is imperative to ensure the safety of British travelers. “The UK should impose a ban on trips to Laos. The Lao authorities are failing to be honest and transparent about what’s happened,” Bethany asserted.

The demand for a travel advisory comes after reports emerged indicating that no legal actions would be taken against eleven individuals detained in connection with the incident. Both Sue and Bethany expressed their devastation upon learning of the detainees’ release without charges. A conversation with a Danish father revealed that meetings involving ambassadors resulted in little information being shared with the families of the victims, further complicating matters. The families continue to feel a lack of transparency and urgency regarding the investigation, which some suggest the Lao government is reluctant to pursue thoroughly.

Thavone Siharaj, deputy chief of the Lao Embassy in London, stated the government ordered an immediate investigation into the fatalities, aiming to bring any wrongdoers to justice. However, he confirmed that the owners and staff of the hostel have been released due to insufficient evidence for extended detention. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office emphasized their support for the grieving family and their communication with local officials. The situation has highlighted the risks of methanol poisoning prevalent in popular tourist locations, prompting calls for preventative measures.

In addition to seeking a travel advisory, Bethany and Sue aim to secure funding for testing strips that could be used to detect methanol in beverages, as current detection methods are lacking. With methanol poisoning being a hazard in various travel destinations, the need for heightened awareness and accountability is more pressing than ever.
In conclusion, the tragic case has prompted families to call for substantial changes in travel safety protocols and government advisories regarding Laos. The efforts to raise awareness about methanol poisoning could potentially save lives, ensuring that such unfortunate incidents do not happen again to unsuspecting travelers.

In summary, the tragic deaths due to suspected methanol poisoning in Laos have sparked demands for the UK government to impose a travel warning for the country. The families of the victims are advocating for greater transparency, justice, and preventative measures against such incidents. Their campaign highlights the necessity of awareness regarding the dangers of methanol poisoning, along with the need for travel safety protocols to protect travelers worldwide.

Original Source: www.inkl.com