An Australian teenager has died and another is on life support after a suspected mass poisoning of drinks in Laos.
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, told Parliament that Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) confirmed Jones’ death.
The suspected methanol poisoning is believed to have claimed the lives of at least three other people — two Danish women and an American citizen.
Travel advice for Australians heading to Laos has been updated to include a warning that the dangerous chemical methanol may be present in spirit-based drinks.
What happened?
Nine-owned radio station 3AW first reported two 19-year-olds from Melbourne, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, had been hospitalised after a night out.
The two women were staying in a hostel in the tourist town of Vang Vieng, about two hours outside Laos’ capital Vientiane.
In a statement, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was providing help to their families.
The Australian teens’ families confirmed to media they were being treated in separate hospitals in Thailand for suspected poisoning of their drinks.
Denmark’s foreign ministry has since confirmed to the Associated Press that two of its have citizens died in Laos. It didn’t provide further details.
The U.S. State Department has confirmed an American man also died in Vang Vieng.
At least 10 people have been taken to hospital, according to local media.
Methanol
Australia’s travel advice website, Smarttraveller, has since updated its warning for Laos, saying “Australians have been victims… of suspected cases of methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks.”
Methanol is a sweet-scented transparent chemical used in petrol and cleaning products. It’s different to ethanol, the chemical present in drinking alcohol.
Methanol is dangerous for humans to consume and can be lethal in large amounts. Poisoning can cause vomiting and abdominal pain.
Bianca Jones
PM Albanese confirmed Jones’ death, calling it a “terrible and cruel loss”.
“Bianca’s trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come.
“It is beyond sad that this was not be.”
Independent MP Zoe Daniel, whose Melbourne electorate covers part of the area where the two lived, said: “I know that so many members of our community are connected to these girls”.
“Our hearts are broken.”
Jones’ family has provided a statement to Melbourne-based newspaper The Herald Sun confirming her death.
“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.”
“We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through our grief and begin to heal.”
