Second Melbourne teenager dies from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos

Australian teenager Holly Bowers from Melbourne has died in a Thai hospital after drinking a beverage suspected of being contaminated with methanol in Laos, her father has confirmed. Speaking from a hospital in Bangkok, the 19-year-old's father told 9News in a statement that his "beautiful daughter Holly is now at peace."

"We are comforted knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people," Mr. Bowers stated. "Holly was enjoying the adventure of a lifetime traveling through Southeast Asia, making new friends and experiencing incredible things. As her parents, we are incredibly proud of everything Holly achieved in her life. Holly was a wonderful big sister to James and always looked out for him."

The Bowers family expressed their gratitude for the support they have received since their daughter fell ill. "We want to thank everyone from back home, Canada, and around the world for their love and support of Holly and our family. We now ask for privacy at this extremely difficult time." This comes shortly after a British woman became the fifth fatality linked to suspected methanol-tainted alcohol poisoning.

Officials said there had been earlier reports of multiple people falling ill in a town popular with backpackers in Laos, with an American and two Danish tourists also dead. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that he was "deeply saddened" by Bowers' tragic passing. "This should have been a trip full of joy and wonderful memories – but it wasn’t, and that is just unspeakably sad," Albanese said.

"My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and friends. I know all Australians will be thinking of Holly, and of her best friend Bianca Jones, who tragically passed away yesterday," Albanese stated. Albanese said the government would continue to provide support to the families of Jones and Bowers, as well as local authorities. Thai police in Udon Thani revealed that Jones died in hospital after she was beyond help. Udon Thani Police Chief Pattana Wongchanpeng said: "She had been in a coma since she was picked up from Laos and never regained consciousness, even with medical treatment."

Pattana Wongchanpeng added: "The cause of death was likely due to methanol in the fake alcohol. That is poison, and it cannot be consumed. It causes swelling of the brain and leads to death." The UK government confirmed that a British national had also died in Laos from suspected methanol poisoning. "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos and are in contact with the local authorities," the UK Foreign Office said. British media identified the deceased as 28-year-old Simone Wieting, a lawyer with Squire Patton Boggs.

It is believed that the victims consumed drinks laced with methanol. Methanol is sometimes added by unscrupulous bars to mixed drinks as a cheap substitute for ethanol, but it can cause severe poisoning or death. It is understood that the owner of the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, where Bowers and Jones were staying, has been detained in the Lao capital Vientiane to assist police with their investigation. 9News understands that the hostel will be temporarily closed.

The hostel owner has insisted that the drinks did not come from the hostel's bar. A telephone number released by the Lao Ministry of Health was not answered, and police declined to comment on the matter. The US State Department confirmed that an American had died in Vang Vieng, and the Danish Foreign Ministry said that two Danish citizens had also died in "an incident in Laos," but neither directly commented on a link to the methanol poisoning that led to Jones' death.

Jones' family asked for privacy to grieve in a statement to Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper. "She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted to know that her incredible spirit touched the lives of so many people in her time with us," the family wrote. "We want to extend our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love and prayers that have come from all corners of Australia."

The US State Department said local authorities are investigating the case and are responsible for providing any details, with the US providing consular assistance. "We offer our sincerest condolences for their loss," the US State Department said in an emailed statement to the Associated Press. Members of the Beaumaris Football Club, where Jones and Bowers both played for many years, gathered at the club on Friday evening for a private vigil for the pair.

Mentone Girls' Grammar School, where Jones graduated in 2023, also paid tribute to the "beautiful young woman." "Bianca was a beautiful young woman in every way, who lived life with tremendous spirit and unbridled passion," Mentone Girls' Grammar Principal Natalie Charles said in a statement. "She excelled as a mobile and pacy forward in the school's AFL team, but she was perhaps at her best off the field, building team spirit and encouraging her peers to give their all."

Natalie Charles added: "Known for her caring nature and effervescent personality, she loved spending time with her friends. Bianca will be deeply missed." Laos is one of the poorest landlocked countries in Southeast Asia and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is particularly popular with backpackers seeking parties and adventure sports. Details about the alcohol poisoning began to slowly emerge about a week after Jones and Bowers fell ill after a group outing involving drinking in a remote town on November 13.

Thai authorities confirmed that Jones died from "brain swelling caused by a high concentration of methanol found in her system." Foreign Minister Penny Wong said after receiving news of Jones' death: "Adulterated drinks and methanol poisoning are far too common in many parts of the world." "At this time, I want to say to parents, to young people, please talk about the risks, please be informed, please let us work together to try and ensure this tragedy doesn't happen again."

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that one of its citizens had also fallen ill in Laos, possibly from methanol poisoning. "We have updated our travel advice for Laos to note that there have been reports of suspected methanol poisoning incidents after drinking alcoholic beverages," the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. "Travellers are advised to exercise caution when consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may be adulterated with harmful substances." Australia has also updated its travel advice, warning that multiple foreign nationals have fallen victim to suspected methanol poisoning in Laos this month. The United States did not immediately issue an updated travel warning.

On Tuesday, Duong Duc Toan, the manager of the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng where the two Australian women were staying, told the Associated Press that staff were told by other guests that the two women were feeling unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transportation to take them to a hospital. The two women were then transferred to Thailand for emergency medical treatment, and their parents flew in to be with them. "All Australians extend our deepest condolences to them," Albanese said. "Bianca’s trip should have been a time of joy and a source of wonderful memories for years to come. That it wasn’t is just unspeakably sad."