A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, Laos, bringing the death toll to six.
Two 19-year-old Australian women, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, fell ill on Nov. 13. They were found unwell in their room after failing to check out from Nana Backpacker Hostel. Both were taken to a hospital in Thailand for emergency treatment.
Jones died on Nov. 21 and Bowles on Nov. 22 at the hospital in Bangkok. Two Danes, an American, and a Briton were confirmed dead on Nov. 21.
“We are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” the Bowles family said in a Nov. 22 statement to Australian media. “We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people.”
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra would continue to help authorities in Laos investigate the incident.
“I know tonight all Australians will be holding both families in our hearts,” Wong said.
Thai authorities said that Jones died of “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system.”
A 28-year-old British woman, Simone White from Kent in southern England, also died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, the British Foreign Office said.
A 56-year-old American man and two Danish women in their 20s who died have not yet been named.
New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said one of its citizens was sickened in Laos and was a possible victim of methanol poisoning.
Methanol is sometimes added to drinks by irresponsible bar owners and can cause severe poisoning, blindness, and death. It is also a byproduct of poorly made homebrew liquor.
The State Department advised travelers to purchase alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores, bars, and hotels, and to avoid homemade alcoholic drinks.
“Please be alert to the potential risk of methanol poisoning, especially when consuming spirit-based alcoholic drinks,” the alert stated. “Check liquor bottles for signs of tampering or counterfeiting, such as labels with poor print quality or incorrect spelling.”
Landlocked Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s poorest nations and a well-known tourist destination. Vang Vieng is often favored by backpackers looking to party and pursue adventure sports.
Neil Farmiloe, a New Zealander who owns the Kiwi Kitchen restaurant in the town, where he has lived for two decades, said many of his customers were deeply concerned.
“I think it’s never happened before, so it is hopefully just a one-off incident,“ he said. ”It’s very sad all around. I’m sure nobody intended to cause injury, but it’s happened.”
