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.

The head of security forces of Vang Vieng district Phut Buathong Boriban told reporters in Laos eight staff members, including management, from Nana Backpackers Hostel, where all of the six victims were staying, have been detained amid investigations.

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

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.

Holly Bowles, 19, is one of six tourists who have died in Laos from what is believed to be methanol poisoning. She passed away on Friday, the day after her 19-year-old friend Bianca Jones passed away in a Thai hospital.

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.Police have detained the 34-year-old manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel and seven other employees for interrogation,

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.