James Louis Hutson, 57, is one of the three latest people confirmed to have died in Laos following what is suspected - but not confirmed - to be a mass methanol poisoning

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.

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

The Laos government said on Saturday (Nov 23) that it was "profoundly saddened" by the deaths of foreign tourists in Vang Vieng, with the toll from a suspected methanol poisoning incident now at six.

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.

This week, an American man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, died in the same town due to methanol poisoning.

An American is among at least five tourists who have died after visiting a town in Laos where concerns have arisen about alcohol tainted with methanol.

At least six tourists who traveled to Laos have died in recent days, prompting international alarm about the dangers of consuming alcoholic drinks that contain methanol.