Holly Bowles sixth to die of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos
Australian teenager Holly Bowles has become the sixth foreign tourist to die from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos.
The 19-year-old died more than a week after falling ill in the tourist town of Vang Vieng, her family confirmed to Australian media.
Her friend Bianca Jones, also 19, and British lawyer Simone White, 28, from south-east London, were confirmed to have died on Thursday.
An unnamed US man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also among the victims of the suspected poisoning, believed to be connected to bootleg alcohol.
In a statement, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles. I offer my deepest sympathies to her family and friends.”
News reports and testimonies suggest the tourists may have consumed alcohol laced with methanol – a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol.
Another British woman is also reportedly in hospital. New Zealand and Dutch officials have also both said they were monitoring incidents involving nationals.
Holly’s family told Australia’s 7News that they were confirming her death with “broken hearts”.
“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people,” the statement said.
“Holly was living her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.”
A police investigation is ongoing into the poisoning, which is believed to have happened sometime between the evening of Tuesday, 12 November, and the early hours of the next day.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel – where the Australian teenagers were staying – has previously said it gave out free shots to around 100 guests that evening.
The hostel’s manager told news agency Associated Press that it first became aware of a problem when the teenagers failed to check out on the Wednesday as planned.
He told the AP at the time that no other guests had become unwell.
Vang Vieng is a small, riverside town in central Laos, about two hours north of the capital Vientane.
It is a hub for backpackers travelling across south-east Asia. It’s home to the Banana Pancake Trail – a popular backpacking route spanning Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.