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

A string of deaths in Laos tied to tainted alcohol has raised alarm around the world and renewed concerns about methanol in alcoholic drinks. Last week, six tourists died in Laos from a suspected outbreak of methanol poisoning, the Associated Press reported.

Details have been murky over the number of tourists affected and the possible source of the methanol-laced drinks.

The victims were an American, two Danes, two Australians, and a Brit. Australia's prime minister called the ordeal "every parent's very worst fear."

A second Australian teenager who fell critically ill after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos has died, according to a family statement sent to Australian media.

Six tourists, including Australians and a British woman, died in Laos, likely from methanol poisoning. The U.S. State Department warns travelers about this risk. The Laos government is investigating the incident and expressed condolences to the victims' families.

Simone White was enjoying a holiday with friends in Laos last week when she accepted a free shot from a bar. The 28-year-old British lawyer is one of six people to have died in a suspected mass methanol poisoning in the backpacking town of Vang Vieng.

A suspected mass methanol poisoning incident in Laos has claimed a sixth victim, the second Australian tourist to die.