Eight people detained over methanol poisoning in Laos, third Aussie gets sick

The names of eight people detained over the suspected methanol poisoning that has killed six, including two Aussies, have been released. It comes as a third Aussie is showing symptoms.

Laos Police have released the names of eight people who have been detained over the suspected mass methanol poisoning that has claimed six lives.

A media conference was held in Laos on Tuesday after the family of Australian teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles had urged for a full investigation in an emotional statement at the weekend.

It comes as a third Australian, a dual national, has fallen ill with what is also suspected to be methanol poisoning.

The Australian is in a stable condition and is being supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The deaths of Bianca, and Holly, both 19, British lawyer Simone White, 28, Danish women Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American James Louis Hutson, 56, have been linked to methanol poisoning in Laos.

But Laos Police only referred to three deaths to the poisonings in Vang Vieng.

Their official statements did not include the Australian teenagers or the British victim.

The bodies of the Melbourne teens were on a repatriation flight back to Australia on Tuesday evening, with their parents on the same plane.

Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were on a dream holiday in Southeast Asia when they fell critically ill. Picture: 7NEWS

Laos’ state media, Lao Phatthana News, reported that Phut Buathong Boriban, the head of the security forces in Vang Vieng, spoke publicly on Tuesday.

Mr Boriban confirmed that Nana Backpackers, where some of the victims stayed, has been closed.

He named eight “staff and management” of Nana Backpackers who have been detained.

There is no suggestion that those detained are responsible for the deaths.

They were listed in the state owned media outlet as being:

“1. Mr Yeungvanhoun 34 years old

2. Mr Hongieng Manhoung 38 years old

3. Mr Bouyvandat 35 years old

4. Mr farm pulls real 42 years old

5. Mr Jikkauk urgent 23 years old

6. Mr Yeungduktoun 47 years old

7. Mr Hngiengsuieng, 28 years old

8. Mr Guang Chung 44 years old.”

The detainees were listed on the Laos news site.

Laos state media Lao Phatthana News reported that Phut Buathong Boriban, the head of the security forces in Vang Vieng spoke publicly on Tuesday.

“All are resting at Viengkeo village, Vang Vieng district, Vientiane province,” the news outlet reported.

The report went on to say that only three deaths were being investigated.

“The initial cause of the death of the number of tourists is expected because of drinking poisonous drinks and other problems caused 3 deaths,” the report said.

“The 1st male-American nationality, 57 years old and the other 2 are female Danish nationality, 20 years old and 21 years old, had a medical condition, sent to the central hospital in Vientiane and died later.

“Investigation Unit is still in the process of co-ordinating with ministries, departments, agencies and relevant stakeholders to collect data and collect samples to find out unidentified information on deaths of foreign tourists this time to be clarified quickly on the basis of inspection, verifying the results of scientific research.”

Bianca Jones’ father Mark read out a statement on behalf of his family and the Bowles family in Thailand at the weekend.

“I would like to take this opportunity to urge the Laos government to investigate this to the fullest extent, to make sure this incident doesn’t happen again,” Mr Jones said.

“We can’t have the passing of our daughter … not lead to change to protect others.”

Originally published as Eight people detained over methanol poisoning in Laos, third Aussie gets sick