There have been more arrests over the methanol poisoning deaths of two young Australians in Laos. Eight Vietnamese staff members from the Nana Backpackers hostel in the tourist town of Vang Vieng were arrested last week and the hostel was shut down.

It comes after six tourists have died in the country, including a 57-year-old American man, after suspected methanol poisoning.

Authorities in Laos have reportedly banned the sale and consumption of a vodka and whisky brand after six tourists died from suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng earlier this month. An Australia travel advisory published on Friday said the Southeast Asian country has banned Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky.

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.

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.

The sale of the spirits has now been banned in the communist country, while the factory has been shut as an investigation continues. Twelve people have now been arrested by the au

The AP quickly deployed an all-formats team that dominated the story by providing voices and color from Vang Vieng, Laos, ahead of competitors.   AP’s

Whisky and vodka factory in Laos closed after methanol poisoning outbreak kills six tourists including Londoner

A small factory outside the capital of Laos has been identified as the suspected source of a methanol poisoning event which resulted in the deaths of six tourists last month.