Two Melbourne teens on life support after suspected methanol poisoning in Asia

According to 9News, two teenagers from Melbourne are undergoing life support treatment after allegedly being poisoned by alcohol tainted with methanol while traveling in Southeast Asia.

The two women are believed to be eighteen and nineteen years old and were traveling in Laos with a group. They graduated last year from Mentone Girls' Grammar School and Beaumaris Secondary College in the Bayside suburbs of Melbourne.

It is understood that two other travelers have died, and at least a dozen have been hospitalized after drinking contaminated alcohol. 9News has learned that the two Melbourne teenagers told staff at the Nana Backpackers hostel that they were feeling unwell.

The manager of Nana Backpackers told 9News: "They came to tell my staff, the night receptionist, to take them to the hospital." The hostel manager said police had been to the premises to check the alcohol, and the premises has a happy hour every night offering free vodka and whiskey. "But that's normal. Every bar, every hostel has the same alcohol."

9News understands that the girls had visited many bars during their time in Laos. It is understood that their parents flew to Bangkok on Friday, where they are receiving treatment in a hospital. A local cafe where one of the women worked closed yesterday to allow staff to deal with the matter.

Methanol is a clear liquid chemical used in thousands of everyday products, including plastics, paints, cosmetics, and fuels. The Methanol Institute says it is often deliberately and illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheap alternative to ethanol.

Forensic pathologist Professor David Ranson said methanol is a common ingredient in illicit spirits purchased by travelers, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. "Essentially, it produces formaldehyde, which is basically the same chemical used to embalm corpses," he told 9News. Drinking as little as 25-90ml of methanol can be fatal.

Travelers have begun posting on social media, warning others to be aware of the issue. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said they are "providing consular assistance" to two Australians in Thailand and their families. A spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time. Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment."