Families of Australians who died in Laos demand answers.
Two Australian teenagers, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, died in Laos from suspected methanol poisoning after consuming illicit alcohol at a hostel. Their families welcomed the detention of eight hostel staff as part of the ongoing investigation. The hostel has denied serving illegal alcohol. The families urged Laotian authorities to pursue the case and pledged to raise awareness about methanol poisoning. Four other tourists from the UK, US, and Denmark also died in the incident. Methanol, often used in counterfeit alcohol, is highly toxic and can be lethal even in small amounts. Investigations continue.
Families of Australians Killed in Suspected Methanol Poisoning in Laos Welcome Investigation Progress
The families of two Australian teenagers who died in a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos have expressed relief after eight people were detained as part of a police investigation into the tragedy.
Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, were among six foreign tourists who reportedly consumed toxic alcohol laced with methanol, a substance commonly added to illicit drinks.
The
bodies of the two young women were returned to Melbourne on Tuesday, accompanied by grieving relatives.
"We miss our daughters desperately," said Mark Jones, Bianca’s father, speaking to reporters. "It’s good to hear there’s been progress in Laos, but this cannot keep happening."
The eight individuals detained on Tuesday were reportedly staff members from the Nana Backpackers hostel, where all the victims had been staying. The hostel, now closed, has denied serving illegal alcohol.
Mark Jones, speaking at Melbourne Airport, urged Laotian authorities to persist with the investigation and vowed that the families would work to raise awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning.
The other victims were identified as Simone White, a 28-year-old UK lawyer; James Louis Hutson, a 57-year-old American; and Danish citizens Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21.
Mr. Hutson was discovered dead in his hostel room on 13 November, with empty glasses nearby. On the same morning, Ms. Orkild Coyman and Ms. Vennervald Sorensen were found unconscious in their rooms and were rushed to the hospital.
The hostel manager, questioned by police last week, had previously claimed that Ms. Jones and Ms. Bowles were the only guests who fell ill after consuming free shots at the venue before heading out for the evening.
Methanol, a chemical commonly found in industrial products like paint thinners, is sometimes added to homemade or counterfeit alcohol. Even a small amount—around 25ml, or half a shot—can be deadly. Symptoms, including vomiting and abdominal pain, may take up to 24 hours to appear.
The full extent of the poisoning incident remains unclear, with in
vestigations ongoing.
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