TripAdvisor, Agoda list Laos backpackers where Bianca Jones, Holly Bowles died from methanol poisoning
The backpackers where Aussie teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were killed in a mass methanol poisoning is sparking outrage following its latest announcement.
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The backpackers where Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were killed in a mass methanol poisoning is planning to reopen after a renovation.
Nana Backpackers has been rebranded as Vang Vieng Central Backpackers and is advertising for bookings online.
New pictures taken this week in Laos show the site was undergoing painting and repair work, with upper level windows painted with a green trim.
A banner has been put up to highlight the new name, while blue plastic sheeting has covered the entry to the backpackers.
Travel websites Agoda and TripAdvisor have booking pages open for the deadly backpackers, which include photographs of people drinking in the bar where the Australian teenagers were poisoned.
Survivor Bethany Clarke, whose friend British lawyer Simone White died in the same incident, said she was outraged that backpackers would reopen in August.
“It’s completely unbelievable, they shouldn’t be allowed to advertise on TripAdvisor and Agoda, they should be banned,” she said.
“When you go on to the site Vang Vieng Central Backpackers you can see the pool at Nanas, so it appears they are linked.
“This site should be a memorial, I don’t want to see anyone staying there.”
The methanol poisoning was centred at the Nana Backpackers, raising suspicions that factory made liquor had been topped up with local spirits that contained methanol.
The local spirits sell for about 50 cents, while the factory made Tiger-branded alcohol sold for $2.50 for a 750ml bottle in Laos.
Ms Clarke has been trying to build awareness among travellers to avoid drinking spirits in Laos, warning that many cases were going unreported.
Lao Police Force detained 13 people linked to the Nana Backpackers after the poisonings in November last year.
However, no-one has been charged and the hostel manager and bartender who served the deadly drinks were now in Vietnam.
Nana Backpackers had been offering guests free spirits for two hours each night, with groups often left with full bottles of Tiger Whisky or Vodka on their tables.
As many as 20 people were poisoned over two nights last year.
Danish women Anne-Sofie Coyman, 20, and Freja Sorensen, 21, as well as American man James Louis Huston, 57, were the other fatal victims.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been trying to pressure the Laos Government to investigate.
However, offers of help from the Australian Federal Police based in Laos have been rejected.
There has been little information made public about the poisonings in the Communist country that strictly controls its media.
A freelance reporter who tried to take photographs and video inside the backpackers in March was threatened with violence unless they deleted the images.
TripAdvisor and Agoda were contacted for comment.
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Originally published as TripAdvisor, Agoda list Laos backpackers where Bianca Jones, Holly Bowles died from methanol poisoning
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