Australians warned to be on high alert in Bali amid methanol fears

The Australian government has updated its advice for travellers heading to Indonesia after Melbourne women Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles died from methanol poisoning in Laos.

Australians are warned to be on high alert in Southeast Asian destinations, including Bali, after two Australian teenagers died from consuming methanol-laced cocktails in Laos.

Melbourne women Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, were among six backpackers who died after consuming the toxic substance at Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has updated its Smartraveller page for Indonesia, warning travellers drinks may be spiked or mixed with toxic substances.

“Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. Don’t leave food or drinks unattended. Cases of methanol poisoning in drinks have previously been reported in Bali and Lombok,” the page said.

Bali welcomes about 1.37 million Australian visitors each year, with significantly higher visitation than Laos, which is visited by about 5570 Australians in the same period.

Perth father of four Colin Ahearn is an alcohol safety advocate. Picture: Supplied

Colin Ahearn, who runs the Facebook page Just Don’t Drink Spirits in Bali, said it’s important to stay vigilant and to make good choices regarding alcohol.

Mr Ahearn’s concern over the issue was sparked when 19-year-old Perth carpenter Liam Davies died after consuming a methanol-laced drink on Gili Trawangan, near Bali, in 2013.

“I’m not slamming Bali at all, I reckon everyone needs to spend time over there,” he said, estimating he has visited the island 55-60 times over the years.

“My advice is just to make cleverer choices. There are safe choices you can make — beers, pre-mixed cocktails in single-serve cans, wines and duty-free spirits — you don’t have to drink cocktails. Bali’s nightlife is insanely good, you can stay safe without missing out.”

Methanol is an industrial-grade alcohol that is extremely toxic, however, it is sometimes illegally added to alcoholic beverages — particularly spirits — to reduce costs.

According to medical charity Doctors Without Borders, methanol poisoning affects thousands of people every year and the fatality rate in an outbreak is often 20-40 per cent.

Holly Bowles died after consuming a spiked drink in Laos. Picture: Facebook

Bianca Jones also died in the methanol poisoning tragedy. Picture: Facebook

Ashley King is living proof of the importance of methanol awareness.

The Canadian woman was living in Australia when she and her best friend visited Bali in 2011 and consumed a cocktail on a night out in Kuta that changed her life forever.

Ms King began feeling unwell and initially thought she had a case of Bali belly, but her symptoms became progressively worse as she travelled onwards to New Zealand.

There, she was rushed to hospital, where doctors were able to save her life, but the ordeal left her legally blind — the chemical caused irreversible damage to her optic nerves.

“It was by far the most traumatic and hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through,” she said.

DFAT has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Australians warned to be on high alert in Bali amid methanol fears