More victims of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos named

Three more fatalities have been added to the suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos, following the earlier tragic deaths of two young Australian women in Thailand. Currently, six individuals have died from suspected methanol-laced beverages consumed in Vang Vieng, Laos.

Last week, 19-year-old Holly Bowers and Bianca Jones from Melbourne passed away after receiving life support treatment in a Thai hospital. Additionally, British lawyer Simone White has been confirmed as one of the victims.

Laotian local media, the Vientiane Times, reported that three additional victims are 20-year-old Dane Anne-Sophie Okkels Koldkjær, 21-year-old Dane Freja Vinnervald Sørensen, and 57-year-old American James Louis Hartson. The deaths of these three individuals had previously been confirmed by their respective governments but were not explicitly linked to the suspected methanol poisoning incident until now.

The Lao government issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the deaths of foreign tourists in Vang Vieng district, Vientiane province, and offered sincere condolences to the families of the victims. The government has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Furthermore, the government reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of both domestic and international tourists.

Bianca Jones' father, Mark, previously urged the Lao government to do everything possible to investigate the matter and prevent similar incidents from happening again. "I would like to take this opportunity to urge the Lao government to fully investigate this matter to ensure that such incidents do not happen again," he stated. "We cannot let our daughter's death be in vain without bringing about change to protect others." The bodies of Jones and Bowers are scheduled to be returned to Australia this week.