Explorer

American, Australian Tourists Among Victims Of Suspected Mass Poisoning In Laos

An Australian teen died and another is critically ill after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos.

A teenager from Australia has died while another is battling for her life in hospital on Thursday after a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos, said Australia's prime minister. 

Bianca Jones, 19 died after drinking tainted alcohol during a backpacking holiday in in Vang Vieng in Laos while her friend Holly Bowles and a British woman are reportedly on life support in hospital, reported Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 

The two women are among 14 people who are seriously ill after drinking spiked alcohol. 

The news of Jones' demise comes hours after the US State Department said an American man died in the tourist town of Vang Vieng. 

The incident comes in a series of such instances including two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, who died last week in the South East Asian country. 

While the deaths are under police investigation, news reports and testimonies from fellow tourists suggest they may have consumed drinks laced with methanol, a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol. 

"Tragically, Bianca Jones has lost her life. Our first thoughts at this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament, reported AFP. 

"We also take this moment to say that we are thinking of Bianca's friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life," Albanese said. 

The US State Department said it was "closely monitoring" the situation in connection with the American victim and added that it was up to local authorities to ascertain the cause of death. 

Australian and UK authorities issued warnings to their citizens to be careful of methanol poisoning when consuming alcohol in Laos.

Nana Backpacker hostel, where the two Australian women were staying in Vang Vieng, told the BBC that it was closed for police investigation. 

The hostel's manager told the Associated Press that the two Australian tourists were among 100 guests who received free shots of Lao vodka from the hostel. The duo then went out for the night, adding that no other guests reported health issues.

Vang Vieng, a famous tourist destination in Laos was once notorious for backpackers behaving badly at jungle parties before it re-branded as an eco-tourism destination.

View More
Advertisement

IPL Auction 2025

Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Virat Kohli
₹21 CR
Josh Hazlewood
₹12.50 CR
Rajat Patidar
₹11 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Rishabh Pant
₹27 CR
Nicholas Pooran
₹21 CR
Ravi Bishnoi
₹11 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Jasprit Bumrah
₹18 CR
Suryakumar Yadav
₹16.35 CR
Hardik Pandya
₹16.35 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Heinrich Klaasen
₹23 CR
Pat Cummins
₹18 CR
Abhishek Sharma
₹14 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Ruturaj Gaikwad
₹18 CR
Ravindra Jadeja
₹18 CR
Matheesha Pathirana
₹13 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Shreyas Iyer
₹26.75 CR
Arshdeep Singh
₹18 CR
Yuzvendra Chahal
₹18 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Sanju Samson
₹18 CR
Yashaswi Jaiswal
₹18 CR
Riyan Parag
₹14 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Venkatesh Iyer
₹23.75 CR
Rinku Singh
₹13 CR
Varun Chakaravarthy
₹12 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Rashid Khan
₹18 CR
Shubman Gill
₹16.5 CR
Jos Buttler
₹15.75 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Axar Patel
₹16.5 CR
KL Rahul
₹14 CR
Kuldeep Yadav
₹13.25 CR
View all
Advertisement
Sun Feb 23, 4:32 am
connaught place
16.1°
Precipitation: 0 mm    Humidity: 77%   Wind: NW 6 km/h
See Today's Weather
Powered By:
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Yogi Govt, Vishva Hindu Parishad Planned Sambhal Violence For 2027 UP Elections: SP
Yogi Govt, Vishva Hindu Parishad Planned Sambhal Violence For 2027 UP Elections: SP
Parliament Winter Session Live: Kiran Chaudhary, Ajay Maken Find Spots On New Vice-Chairpersons' Panel
Kiran Chaudhary, Ajay Maken Find Spots On New Vice-Chairpersons' Panel
Nana Patole Resigns As Maharashtra Congress Head After Party's Dismal Show In Assembly Polls
Nana Patole Resigns As Maharashtra Congress Head After Party's Dismal Show In Assembly Polls
Sambhal Violence: 'No Entry For MPs & MLAs', Death Toll Up, Internet Shut — Clash Zone In A Shambles
Sambhal Violence: 'No Entry For MPs & MLAs', Death Toll Up, Internet Shut — Clash Zone In A Shambles
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Parliament Winter Session 2024: Congress Moves Suspension Notice Over Adani ControversyParliament Winter Session: Watch Big Updates Of The Hour Only On ABP NewsFrom Hating Computers to Building a Software Empire, The Inspiring Journey of ESDS CEO Piyush SomaniGautam Adani Faces Another Blow as SEBI Launches Probe Against Adani Group | Paisa Live

Photo Gallery

Embed widget