A third Australian has been hospitalised with suspected methanol poisoning and eight people have been arrested in Laos.
It comes after the deaths of six tourists, including Melbourne teens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones.
The bodies of the 19-year-olds were flown home last night, after they died in separate hospitals in Thailand last week.
Speaking at Melbourne Airport, Jones’ father Mark Jones said, “We miss our daughters desperately.”
Background
19-year-old Melbourne teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones were hospitalised last week with suspected methanol poisoning. They became ill after a night out in Vang Vieng, a tourist town in Laos.
The families of Bowles and Jones flew to Thailand, where the teens were treated in separate hospitals.
At least six people have died in relation to the suspected poisoning, including two Danish women in their early 20s, a 57-year-old American man, and a 28-year-old British woman. The tourists were all staying at the Nana Backpackers hostel.
Methanol
Methanol is a colourless liquid chemical typically found in petrol and cleaning products. Consuming a small amount of it can cause serious illness and, in some cases, death.
Methanol is sometimes added to drinks because it’s cheaper than ethanol —
the chemical present in drinking alcohol. It can also be present in home-brewed spirits.
Methanol poisoning can be effectively treated within 10 to 30 hours of consumption. However, the symptoms can be confused with ethanol poisoning, leading to delays in seeking treatment.
DFAT
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been providing assistance to the families of Bowles and Jones.
In a statement, DFAT said: “Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time.”
In an update to the Smarttraveller website, Australians are now advised to be wary of the presence of methanol in spirit-based drinks.
Bowles and Jones’ bodies have now been returned to Melbourne.
Arrests
Australian authorities, along with the Bowles and Jones families, have called on the Laos Government to investigate the deaths and suspected poisoning.
Eight men, suspected to be involved with the methanol-related deaths, have been arrested by local police in Laos.
Local news outlets have reported the group includes management and staff from the Nana Backpacker Hostel.
The hostel remains closed.
