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

The deaths of six foreign tourists linked to a suspected mass methanol poisoning has thrown a spotlight on a small town in Southeast Asia that has worked hard in recent years to shed its reputation for excess.

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.

Eight staff members at Laos hostel arrested over 'tainted shot' tourist deaths - All six victims were staying at the NANA Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng - a popular tourist spot

Laos party-goers are on edge and sticking to beer after six tourists were killed by 'methanol poisoning', with backpackers in the south-east Asian town in Laos speaking of their experiences

The death of six foreigners in Vang Vieng threatens to undermine the government’s desperate attempts to revive its tourism sector.

Police in Laos have detained the manager and seven staff of a backpacker hostel in Vang Vieng following the deaths of six tourists from suspected methanol poisoning, state media reported Tuesday.

Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, was one of a number of people taken to hospital after the incident in the popular backpacking town of Vang Vieng last week

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

The Lao government is "profoundly saddened" by the deaths of foreign tourists from drinking alcohol contaminated with methanol and pledged to prosecute those responsible.