An Australian teenager has grow to be the sixth overseas vacationer to die from suspected methanol poisoning at a backpacker hotspot in northern Laos.
Holly Bowles, 19, died in hospital the day after her finest good friend Bianca Jones he misplaced his life in a separate Thai hospital.
The proprietor of the hostel the place they had been staying in Vang Vieng has been detained by Lao police for questioning, Australian outlet ABC reported after an investigation was launched.
British lawyer Simone White28, died Thursday after it was believed she drank the identical pictures laced with methanol on the evening of Nov. 12.
Simone White, a British lawyer, died Thursday of suspected methanol poisoning – FACEBOOK
Miss Bowles’ father confirmed his daughter’s loss of life on Friday. “He is heartbroken and we’re so unhappy to say that our stunning woman Holly is now at peace.”
“We discover solace and solace in figuring out that Holly introduced a lot pleasure and happiness to so many individuals,” Shaun Bowles informed Nine News.
Penny Wong, Australian Foreign Minister, mentioned: “All Australians can be heartbroken by this tragic passing.”
“Just yesterday, Holly misplaced her finest good friend, Bianca Jones,” Ms. Wong mentioned. “I do know all Australians will carry each households in our hearts tonight.”
The two buddies, from Melbourne, had been in the midst of a “dream” journey to South East Asia. They had stayed in a hostel in Vang Vieng and visited native bars the evening earlier than changing into critically unwell.
The workers at Nana Backpackers Hostel discovered them of their room when they didn’t depart on time.
The Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng the place Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones stayed – Anupam Nath/AP
The different victims, who had been staying in the identical hostel, included two Danish girls of their 20s and an American man.
The Lao authorities mentioned the suspected reason behind their deaths was methanol poisoning.
At least 10 others, together with different British vacationers, felt unwell after consuming in the identical city.
They are believed to have consumed drinks contaminated with methanol, which is a less expensive different to the ethanol present in alcoholic drinks, however may cause severe poisoning or loss of life.
Duong Duc Toan, the hostel supervisor, mentioned he served greater than 100 visitors on the evening of Nov. 12 with free pictures of Lao Tiger vodka combined with ice and Coke Zero.
But he denied the alcohol was tainted and mentioned the hostel had not bought or given away drinks that made vacationers sick.
Duong Duc Toan, the supervisor of Nana Backpackers Hostel, served greater than 100 visitors on the evening of November 12 with free pictures of Lao Tiger vodka and Coke Zero – Anupam Nath/AP
“We do not do something unsuitable, for positive,” Toan informed ABC, the Australian community. “I actually maintain all the purchasers (who) keep in our lodge and hostel.”
Mrs White, from Orpington, in London’s Bromley, was taken to hospital after an evening out along with her good friend Bethany Clarke, a healthcare employee additionally from Orpington.
It is unclear when Ms. White died or her reason behind loss of life. His household had been unavailable for remark when contacted by the Telegraph on Thursday.
Ms Clarke, additionally in hospital, mentioned her “liver began to fail” after consuming free pictures provided by one among Vang Vieng’s bars.
He warned fellow vacationers to “keep away from all native spirits” on a Facebook group for backpackers in Laos.
“Urgent: Please keep away from all native alcohol,” he wrote. “Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and drank free pictures provided by one of many bars.
“Six of us who drank from the identical place are presently in hospital for methanol poisoning,” he added.
A Foreign Office spokesperson mentioned on Thursday: “We are supporting the household of a British girl who died in Laos and are in touch with native authorities.”
