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| Parents 'devastated' over daughter's suspected poisoning death | Parents 'devastated' over daughter's suspected poisoning death |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Simone White's parents described their daughter as a "soul who gave so much" | Simone White's parents described their daughter as a "soul who gave so much" |
| The parents of British lawyer Simone White, who died in a suspected poisoning in Laos, have said they are "devastated" by the "terrible tragedy". | The parents of British lawyer Simone White, who died in a suspected poisoning in Laos, have said they are "devastated" by the "terrible tragedy". |
| Ms White, from Orpington, south-east London, died in hospital after drinking alcohol suspected to have been laced with methanol in the backpacking hotspot Vang Vieng. | Ms White, from Orpington, south-east London, died in hospital after drinking alcohol suspected to have been laced with methanol in the backpacking hotspot Vang Vieng. |
| The 28-year-old was one of six tourists to die after staying in the popular tourist town. | The 28-year-old was one of six tourists to die after staying in the popular tourist town. |
| In a statement, her parents said: "Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful energy and spark for life. | In a statement, her parents said: "Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful energy and spark for life. |
| "She was a soul who gave so much to so many and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues." | "She was a soul who gave so much to so many and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues." |
| They said their daughter had been "taken far too soon" and would be "sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family". | They said their daughter had been "taken far too soon" and would be "sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family". |
| They added: "Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy." | They added: "Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy." |
| Ms White's employer, law firm Squire Patton Boggs, described her as a "talented colleague with a bright future". | Ms White's employer, law firm Squire Patton Boggs, described her as a "talented colleague with a bright future". |
| In a statement the firm said: "It is with deep sadness that we mourn the tragic passing of our dear friend and colleague Simone White." | In a statement the firm said: "It is with deep sadness that we mourn the tragic passing of our dear friend and colleague Simone White." |
| The spokesperson added that Ms White was "someone who epitomised our firm values". | The spokesperson added that Ms White was "someone who epitomised our firm values". |
| In comments under the statement posted on professional networking site LinkedIn, one colleague at the firm wrote: "Simone was one of the kindest, most genuine and thoughtful people I have ever met. | In comments under the statement posted on professional networking site LinkedIn, one colleague at the firm wrote: "Simone was one of the kindest, most genuine and thoughtful people I have ever met. |
| "She lived life to the fullest and encouraged everyone around her to do the same." | "She lived life to the fullest and encouraged everyone around her to do the same." |
| Holly Bowles, left, and teammate Bianca Jones were visiting Laos from Australia | Holly Bowles, left, and teammate Bianca Jones were visiting Laos from Australia |
| Holly Bowles, a 19-year-old Australian, became the sixth person to die from the suspected poisoning on Friday. | Holly Bowles, a 19-year-old Australian, became the sixth person to die from the suspected poisoning on Friday. |
| Her friend and community football club teammate Bianca Jones, also 19, a US man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also among the victims. | Her friend and community football club teammate Bianca Jones, also 19, a US man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also among the victims. |
| The two Australian victims died after being transferred to a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, while Ms White was treated in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. | The two Australian victims died after being transferred to a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, while Ms White was treated in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. |
| The names of the Danish and American victims have not been released. | The names of the Danish and American victims have not been released. |
| New Zealand and Dutch officials have also both said they were monitoring incidents involving nationals. | |
| The New Zealand government told the BBC one of its citizens is suspected to have been poisoned with methanol, and the embassy was providing assistance. | |
| News reports and testimonies suggest the tourists may have consumed alcohol laced with methanol - a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol. | News reports and testimonies suggest the tourists may have consumed alcohol laced with methanol - a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol. |
| Medical specialists say drinking as little as 25 millilitres of methanol can be fatal, but it is sometimes added to drinks because it is cheaper than alcohol. | Medical specialists say drinking as little as 25 millilitres of methanol can be fatal, but it is sometimes added to drinks because it is cheaper than alcohol. |
| Christer Hogstrand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology, at King’s College London said it was also "not uncommon in home-distilled alcohol". | Christer Hogstrand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology, at King’s College London said it was also "not uncommon in home-distilled alcohol". |
| "Methanol is like the alcohol in our drinks – colourless and odourless – but its impact on humans can be deadly," he explained. "It has a different carbon atom structure which completely changes how humans process it in the body, leading to these potentially fatal consequences." | "Methanol is like the alcohol in our drinks – colourless and odourless – but its impact on humans can be deadly," he explained. "It has a different carbon atom structure which completely changes how humans process it in the body, leading to these potentially fatal consequences." |
| It is not yet known where any of the people who fell sick or died were poisoned. | It is not yet known where any of the people who fell sick or died were poisoned. |
| It can take up to 24 hours for victims to start showing signs of illness. | It can take up to 24 hours for victims to start showing signs of illness. |
| The Nana Backpacker Hostel - where the Australian teenagers were staying - has said it gave out free shots to around 100 guests the previous evening. | The Nana Backpacker Hostel - where the Australian teenagers were staying - has said it gave out free shots to around 100 guests the previous evening. |
| But the hostel's manager told news agency Associated Press that no other guests had become unwell., external | But the hostel's manager told news agency Associated Press that no other guests had become unwell., external |
| The manager of the hostel has since been detained for questioning by police. | The manager of the hostel has since been detained for questioning by police. |
| Methanol poisoning has long been a well-known issue across South East Asia, particularly in the poorer countries along the Mekong river. | Methanol poisoning has long been a well-known issue across South East Asia, particularly in the poorer countries along the Mekong river. |
| But despite foreign governments posting warnings about alcohol consumption in these places, there is still little awareness among the backpacker party scene. | But despite foreign governments posting warnings about alcohol consumption in these places, there is still little awareness among the backpacker party scene. |
| Follow BBC London on Facebook, external, Twitter, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk, external. | Follow BBC London on Facebook, external, Twitter, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk, external. |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? | Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? |