Hostel linked to methanol deaths of six tourists set to reopen

A backpackers' hostel linked to the deaths of six tourists is set to reopen under a new name.

Bethany Clarke and her friend Simone White, who later died, fell ill after drinking free vodka shots in the town of Vang Vieng last November.

It's suspected their drinks at the Nana Backpacker Hostel were laced with methanol - a deadly substance linked to bootleg alcohol.

BBC Newsbeat has found evidence the hostel is due to reopen at the same address in August. Bethany believes the same management is still in charge.

Bethany says she and Simone, from London, became unwell a day after being offered drinks at the Nana hostel.

They initially mistook symptoms for food poisoning but were eventually taken to hospital.

Bethany recovered but Simone, 28, died several days later, as did five other tourists from Australia, Denmark and the US.

The owners of the Nana hostel denied serving illicit alcohol but it has remained closed since the deaths.

However, a listing for Vang Vieng Central Backpacker Hostel - taking bookings from 23 August this year - has appeared on travel websites Tripadvisor and Agoda.

A link that previously took users to the Nana hostel's page redirects them to the amended page.

Images showing the Nana Backpacker Hostel name painted on a sign and printed on menus remain on the page, as well as guest reviews naming the former hostel.

Tripadvisor told Newsbeat it had received a request to change the name of the hostel.

A spokesperson said it had not received proof of a change in ownership, so previous reviews would remain visible on the listing.

Bethany's concerned that the new business is being run by the same people it was before.

"I'm shocked. If it's the same management or ownership involved, I wouldn't trust them.

"It's just unbelievable because we know that was where we were poisoned."

Tripadvisor said that anyone who had stayed at the Nana Backpacker Hostel before the name change would still be able to leave reviews about their stay, and its system would flag any mentioning "serious safety incidents".

Newsbeat was told that proof of ownership was not required to change the name on a listing, but there is further evidence suggesting the Vang Vieng hostel and the Nana hostel are linked.

Building work is currently being carried out at the address, according to travellers staying in the area.

Backpacker Frankie, who shared photos of the site with Newsbeat, says there was "building equipment everywhere" when she walked past on Tuesday.

"They're clearly refurbishing it," she says.

In one photo, showing a sign reading Vang Vieng Central Backpacker Hostel, a phone number is visible.

The same number appears in messages, seen by Newsbeat, sent between Bethany and staff at the Nana hostel.

When a reporter called the number, the person who answered hung up.

Further calls and messages, including those from BBC colleagues based in the region, were blocked.

Frankie, 23, says it's "horrendous" to think the business could "carry on like normal".

"[Vang Vieng] is kind of empty in terms of backpackers. People are drinking, but it feels a bit eerie and quiet."

Frankie says people she's met on her travels are well aware of the methanol poisonings last year.

"A lot of the backpackers we've met have mentioned the name of Nana hostel. There's definitely an awareness about it,” she says.

She adds the name change makes her "very uneasy" and she'll tell her friends about it when they travel to the country.

Bethany, who previously called for more education on the dangers of drinking abroad, says she wants to warn others.

"I was not completely convinced we would end up getting justice for Simone and the other victims, so I thought the best thing I can do is to try and educate the younger generation."

And while she waits to find out whether anyone will face action over Simone's death, what little hope she had for answers is starting to fade.

In November, authorities in Laos promised an investigation into the deaths of Simone and Australians Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, both from Denmark, and US national James Louis Hutson, 57.

Eight workers, including the manager of the Nana hostel, were detained for questioning by police. The manager denied any responsibility, saying hundreds of guests had been given shots without becoming unwell.

Bethany shared a recent email sent by the UK Foreign Office stating that authorities in Laos had proposed charges against 13 people over food safety breaches.

Newsbeat has seen an email from the Australian government with the same update and has approached its foreign office for comment.

A Foreign Office spokesperson declined to comment on the email but confirmed the UK government was in contact with authorities in Laos and supporting the family of a British woman who died in the country.

Newsbeat has contacted Agoda for comment.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.