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,

The problem with methanol poisoning is that it looks very much like alcohol poisoning. And delays in treatment can be fatal.

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.

A third Australian has fallen ill after consuming methanol-laced alcohol in Laos. So far, six people have died and eight arrests have been made in what is suspected to be a mass methanol poisoning.

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 local governor visited the hostel in which some of the victims were staying, promising justice for those responsible.

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.

A New Zealander who had fallen ill from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos has now returned home, authorities have confirmed. No other details were given about the tourist, who is among several that fell sick or died in recent weeks after consuming what may have been tainted drinks in Laos.