Second Australian teen dies after Laos drink poisoning

Nineteen-year-old Holly Bowles has died after drinking a cocktail understood to have contained methanol at a hostel in Laos, taking the death toll to six.

A second Australian woman has now died in a suspected mass methanol poisoning event while travelling Laos.

Holly Bowles, 19, died on Friday. Her friend woman Bianca Jones, also 19, died on Thursday.

Six people have now died, including a 28-year-old British woman, two Danish women, an American man and Ms Jones and Ms Bowles.

The owner of a backpacker hostel where two young Australians teenagers were staying before they fell violently ill after allegedly consuming a poisoned cocktail has been detained by police for questioning in Laos.

“It is with broken hearts and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” Bowles’ family said in a statement late on Friday.

Melbourne teen Bianca Jones died from a suspected methanol poisoning. Picture: Facebook

Her friend Holly Bowles died on Friday. Picture: Facebook

“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people.

“Holly was living her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.

“As her parents we were always so incredibly proud of everything Holly did. Holly was an amazing big sister to James and she always looked out for him

“We would like to thank everyone from back home, in Canada and around the world for the love and support that Holly and our family have received.”

The two friends had allegedly drank some alcohol suspected to have been laced with methanol. Several other international tourists were also sickened, with the death toll now at five.

It’s understood that the owner of the Nana Backpacker Hostel where the two friends had been staying was detained on Friday for questioning by police in Laos, according to the ABC.

The two Aussies are believed to have started their night with free drinks at the hostel before heading out to other bars.

The ABC reports the hostel previously claimed the drinks in question did not come from its bar.

The owner of Nana Backpacker Hostel in, Vang Vieng, Laos, has been detained by police. Picture: Supplied

The family of Ms Jones confirmed her death on Thursday.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away,” they said in a statement.

“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.

“We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.

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

“We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through our grief and begin to heal. Thank you for respecting our family’s space.”

Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel said Ms Bowles’ death was “the news we’ve all been dreading”.

“She was surrounded by her loving family, who must be suffering unbearable pain,” Ms Daniel, who represents the area Ms Bowles and Ms Jones are from, said in a post on X.

“All those that knew and loved her will be devastated.

“There are no words to convey just how acutely felt the loss of Holly and her dear friend Bianca Jones by their family, friends and community.

“We are there for them.”

Horror poisonings

It is understood that the Melbourne teens consumed deadly cocktails while visiting the tourist town of Vang Vieng, located around 130km north of Vientiane in Laos.

They were staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel and consumed drinks at the bar before heading out to another venue, staff at the hostel have claimed.

Both fell incredibly ill after consuming the drinks thought to be spiked with methanol on November 11.

The pair spent the next day sleeping in their room but came out to tell staff they “couldn’t breathe” and needed to go to hospital, the Herald Sun reported.

One hostel worker, who went by the nickname Pikachu, said the girls sought help from reception staff and were gravely unwell.

“We didn’t know what happening with them because they go party outside,” the worker said.

“They come to tell my staff, please, can you help me, bring me to the hospital.

“They (found it) hard to breathe, the staff in the night shift just quickly bring her to the hospital.

“I have only one motorbike so they just bring them one by one, my staff tried to help the customer.”

Nana Backpackers bartender Toan Van Vaang denied that Ms Jones and Ms Bowles had been poisoned at the hostel’s bar.

He poured a vodka and Coke Zero, the same drink as the women had been drinking, and took a sip himself to prove it was safe, the Herald Sun reported.

Mr Van Vaang said the vodka was purchased from a distributor and staff never watered it down or added to the bottle.

The women had reportedly come down to the hostel bar for 8pm happy hour and had a few drinks before heading out to a party around 10.30pm, Pikachu said.

Death toll rises

It is thought as many as 10 other people have fallen ill in the same mass drink-spiking, with six tourists now dead.

The Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed two young women from Denmark had died as a result of a poisoning in Laos, which is still being investigated by local authorities.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the third death — cited as an American man — was confirmed by the US State Department on Thursday.

The publication reported the traveller had died in Vang Vieng. However, the spokesperson declined to provide specific dates or details about the circumstances around the death.

“We can confirm the death of a US citizen in Vang Vieng, Laos,” the US State Department said.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to their family on their loss.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and providing consular assistance.”