Second Australian dies from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, bringing death toll to 6

SYDNEY – A second young Australian tourist has died after apparently drinking tainted alcohol while on holiday in Laos, Australia’s foreign minister said on November 22.

“All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. “Just yesterday Holly lost her best friend Bianca Jones.”

“I know all Australians will keep both families in their hearts tonight,” she added.

A total of six foreign tourists have died from suspected methanol poisoning at a popular tourist spot in northern Laos.

They were from Australia, Great Britain, Denmark and the USA.

Many of the victims were in their teens or early 20s. They became ill after a night in Vang Vieng on November 12th.

Australian officials are now demanding that Laotian authorities conduct a full and transparent investigation into what happened.

The Vietnamese manager of the Nana Backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng, where Bowles and another 19-year-old from Melbourne, Bianca Jones, fell ill, was detained for questioning.

Ms. Jones was predeceased.

The two women had a drink at the hostel bar before going out for the evening, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. They were unable to leave on November 13 when they were found by hostel staff and rushed to hospital.

The family of the late Ms Jones said in a statement to Australia’s Herald Sun newspaper they were “comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us”.

“The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling.”