Southeast Asia has the "highest rates of methanol poisoning globally", said Al Jazeera, and this is often blamed on "economic pressures and weak regulations". Laos, despite its increasing popularity with backpackers, is one of the poorest nations in the region.

Officials arrested eight hostel workers in Laos on Monday for allegedly poisoning travelers with methanol, according to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Tourists reported illnesses after consuming alcohol in the town of Vang Vieng,

Staff from a backpacker hostel have been detained after six tourists died from suspected methanol poisoning after a night out.View on euronews

T he death of six tourists visiting Laos is suspected to be the result of mass methanol poisoning, after all are believed to have consumed alcoholic drinks tainted with the toxic substance. With officials issuing fresh warnings about the dangers of ingesting methanol, here’s what you should know about what it is and how it affects the body.

What is methanol, what are the symptoms of methanol poisoning and how does it end up in alcohol? - Foreign Office advises tourists how to avoid alcohol that may be accidentally toxic or may be counter

In a distressing turn of events, six tourists have lost their lives in Laos due to suspected methanol poisoning, sending shockwaves through the travel community. The experienced Danish travel agency,

Police in Laos have detained the manager and seven other members of staff at a backpacker hostel following the deaths of six tourists from suspected methanol poisoning. The tourists - two Australians,

The bodies of two Melbourne teenagers who died in Laos after suspected methanol poisoning have been returned home. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were among six foreign tourists who died after drinking tainted cocktails.

Six people reportedly died after consuming methanol-laced alcohol while vacationing in Laos Authorities have named the American tourist who was one of five people to die of suspected methanol poisoning at a hostel in Laos.