Travel blogger ‘in shock’ over Laos backpacker deaths after hostel she recommended for being ‘cheap, sociable and offers free alcohol’ is revealed as the site of methanol poisoning

A travel blogger has expressed her shock after it emerged six backpackers were poisoned at a Laos hostel she promoted on social media.

Steph Dawson, who runs an Instagram travel account, promoted the hostel in December last year and has been left in a state of ‘complete shock’.

The six travelers, including Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from Kent, were taken to a local hospital in the well-known backpacker town of Van Vieng last week after falling ill.

White’s death was confirmed by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office on Thursday.

It is now believed that White and the other travelers suffered from suspected methanol poisoning, with police in Laos having now arrested the manager and owner of the hostel.

The poisoned backpackers are said to have been given drinks contaminated with the dangerous industrial chemical methanol at the hostel.

Methanol has long been used by renowned bars abroad as a cheaper alternative to ethanol.

Dawson told GB News: ‘I’m literally shocked. I did a whole post on Instagram promoting this hostel as a place to stay.”

Travel blogger Steph promoted the Nana Backpacker Hostel in December last year

The Nana Backpacker Hostel was popular with tourists for its free alcohol offering

Steph went on to say that the hostel was the most popular in the area as it served cheap alcohol to travelers every night.

‘It was where every backpacker goes. It’s cheap, fun and offers free alcohol between 7pm and 9pm. They offer free vodka and free rum every night.

‘Because it’s so cheap, you can buy a bottle of vodka on the go for £1.60, but it tastes cheap. Everyone’s doing it, so everyone’s okay with it, I think that’s why it’s so shocking.”

Nana Backpacker Hostel inmate manager Duong Duc Toan has said staff were told a group of women were feeling unwell after missing their check-out time.

The group of six women had reportedly joined a group of more than 100 other guests for the hostel’s signature free shots two nights earlier.

Simone White, 28, from Orpington in Kent, died after drinking free shots at a hostel in Laos allegedly laced with methanol

The hostel remains open but is currently not accepting new guests (photo: Nana’s Backpackers bar)

However, Mr Toan said no other guests had reported any problems and claimed the poisoning victims had gone out for a night of drinking at nearby bars after the free shots function at the hostel ended.

Officials in Laos have yet to release much information about the incident beyond confirming the deaths of the travelers.

Then, travel blogger Steph shares details on how backpackers can stay safe abroad, saying travelers should ‘trust their instincts’.

“We have to wait until the investigation is completed before we can pass judgment on the hostel. “If you don’t like partying or don’t want to take shots, don’t stay in these hostels to get free shots,” she added.