Hostel owner detained by cops over death of Brit lawyer Simone White & 5 other backpackers after ‘free shots spiked’

COPS have reportedly detained the owner of a backpacker hostel where a group of tourists were staying before six of them died in a suspected poisoning.

British lawyer Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, died on Thursday after she fell ill from drinking free shots allegedly laced with methanol while in Laos, South East Asia.

An unnamed tourism police officer in Vang Vieng told AP today that a number of people had been detained as part of the investigation - but no charges yet filed.

Staff at the hostel then confirmed the manager and owner were among those held by police.

Although still operating, the venue is not accepting any new guests.

Police have not yet named those detained for questioning or given an official comment on the development.

At least some of the holidaymakers affected by the incident are thought to have been staying at the hostel - where they were reportedly offered free shots.

The venue told ABC that any tainted drinks were not served at its bar.

Six people in total have died since drinking them last week - including a 19-year-old woman from Melbourne called Bianca Jones and her friend Holly Bowles.

Holly, also 19, was critically ill in hospital, before her family announced she had died on Friday.

Her dad Shaun told Nine News: "It is with broken hearts, and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace.

"We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people."

Two unnamed Danish women in their twenties and an American man have also died.

Around 12 other people, including Brits, are believed to have been left seriously unwell.

Cops are still probing the horror incident - as reports and testimonies online from fellow tourists suggest those affected had consumed drinks laced with methanol.

Methanol is a toxic substance often found in bootleg alcohol or used in industrial products like paint thinners, antifreeze, varnish or photocopier fluid.

Thai police spoke to Reuters after the death of Aussie teen Bianca - confirming on Thursday that she died from "methanol poisoning".

An official said: "The physician who examined her said the cause of death was a methanol poisoning, from fake liquor.

"The amount of methanol in her body was high, leading to swelling of the brain."

Meanwhile Thai police chief Phattanawong Chanphon said today of Bianca's death: "She was unconscious ever since she was picked up from Laos and never regained consciousness from then, even as she had received medical care.

"The cause of death is likely from the consumption of methanol from fake liquor.

"It's poison and cannot be consumed."

Bianca's devastated family previously said that she was on a “dream getaway with her best friend Holly”.

They told the Aussie Herald Sun on Thursday: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away.

"She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.

"We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we've received from across Australia."

Simone's friend Bethany Clarke - also in hospital - raised the alarm with an urgent warning on the Laos Backpacking Facebook group last week.

She wrote: "Urgent — please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars.

"Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning."

Bethany added that she was “very fatigued and then fainted, then just felt nauseous and then my liver started to shut down”.

She continued: “I got to the private hospital in time but underwent many infusions and tablets and days of recovery.”

The Foreign Office yesterday confirmed it was supporting Simone's family.

A spokesman said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities."

A statement from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can confirm that two Danish citizens have passed away in Laos. For reasons of confidentiality in personal matters the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no further comments."

New Zealand's foreign ministry told local media on Thursday that one of its citizens is also unwell from suspected methanol poisoning.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday after Bianca's death: "This is every parent's worst fear and a nightmare no one should have to endure.

"All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak."

"We also take this moment to say that were thinking of Biancas friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life," Albanese added.

Holly's uncle Dale told ABC earlier this week: "It's so difficult when you're so far away.

"There's just a sick feeling in your stomach that just doesn't go away.

"It's just a day-by-day process at the moment. At this point … all we can ask her to do is just keep fighting."

He said Holly's family are holding a bedside vigil as she fights for her life in a Thai hospital.

Governments in Australia and Britain have previously warned travellers to be careful of alcoholic drinks in Laos.

Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and fuel source, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its website.