Vang Vieng, Laos — Second Australian teenager fell seriously ill after drinking contaminated alcohol in Laos died in a Bangkok hospital, her family said Friday, bringing the death toll in the mass poisoning of foreign tourists to six.
Holly Bowles, 19, was in critical condition and on life support following her poisoning in Laos more than a week ago.
“We are so sad to say that our beautiful daughter Holly is now at peace,” her family said in a statement sent to Australian Network 10 and other Australian media. “We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people.”
An officer from the Vang Vieng tourist police office, who declined to be named, told The Associated Press on Friday that a “number of people” had been arrested in the case but no charges had been filed. had still been filed. Staff at Nana Backpacker Hostel, which was still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed that the manager and owner were among those interviewed.
Anupam Nath / AP
Tourist police offices are common in Southeast Asia and are specifically established to assist with incidents involving tourists and other foreigners.
According to British and Australian media, a dozen tourists fell ill after a night out on November 12, according to Agence France-Presse.
The US State Department on Friday issued a health alert to citizens traveling to Laos, warning of “suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, likely due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages containing methanol”, in following similar alerts from other countries whose citizens were involved.
The Australian Prime Minister announced on Thursday that a 19-year-old citizen, Bianca Jones, had died in a Thai hospital where she had been evacuated for emergency treatment, and that her friend – Bowles – remained in a hospital ” fighting for his life.” A 28-year-old British woman, Simone White, also died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, the British Foreign Office said.
Anupam Nath / AP
An American and two Danish tourists also died, although the precise causes of death were not disclosed.
New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said one of its citizens had fallen ill in Laos and may be suffering from methanol poisoning.
Laos is a one-party communist state with no organized opposition and the government maintains tight control over information. In this case, officials have released almost no details.
The Foreign Ministry declined to comment, and in Vang Vieng, the small hospital where some of the victims were believed to have been treated first directed all questions to the town health office located on the hospital grounds. City health officials declined to comment, saying they did not have the necessary authorization.
Methanol is sometimes added to mixed drinks in unreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause serious poisoning and even death. It is also a byproduct of poorly distilled home liquor and could have inadvertently found its way into bar drinks.
Methanol is used in antifreeze, photocopier fluids, deicers, paint thinners, varnishes, windshield wiper fluids and other industrial and household products.
Landlocked Laos is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers looking for parties and adventure sports.
Neil Farmiloe, a New Zealander who owns the Kiwi Kitchen restaurant in the town, said many of his customers were very worried about the incident.
“I think this has never happened before, so I hope it’s just a one-time incident,” said Farmiloe, who has lived in Vang Vieng for 20 years. “It’s very sad everywhere. I’m sure no one intended to cause any injuries, but it happened.
The two 19-year-old Australian women, both deceased, fell ill on November 13 after a drunken evening with a group.
They were unable to leave Nana Backpacker Hostel as planned and were found ill in their room, then taken to Thailand for emergency treatment.
Thai authorities confirmed that Jones died from “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system.”
Duong Duc Toan, the manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, told the AP the day before his arrest that the two women had joined other guests for free glasses of Laotian vodka before heading elsewhere and returning early The morning.