Australia has warned travelers against drinking spirits made by a Laos distiller, following the deaths of six foreign tourists from suspected methanol poisoning in the Southeast Asian country.

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.

Police in Laos have arrested eight people over the suspected mass methanol poisoning which killed six foreign tourists in backpacking hotspot Vang Vieng.

The U.S., Australia and U.K. have issued warnings for travelers in Vang Vieng after several tourists died in a suspected methanol poisoning outbreak.

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

The US State Department issued a warning to travelers to be “alert to the potential risk of methanol poisoning.” But what is methanol, and how do you avoid it?

SINGAPORE: Laos has banned the sale and consumption of a brand of whisky and vodka following the death of six tourists from suspected methanol poisoning earlier this month. This is according to Smartraveller,

Six tourists from Australia, Denmark, the United States, and the United Kingdom died in Laos due to methanol poisoning. In response to these tragic events, the country's authorities banned the sale and consumption of a specific brand of vodka and whiskey.

Six tourists from Australia, Denmark, the United States, and the United Kingdom have died in Laos due to methanol poisoning. In response to these tragic events, the country's authorities banned the sale and consumption of vodka and whisky of a specific brand.