Tragedy in Laos: Australians Die in Tourist Town Poisoning
Eight people have been detained over the deaths from Van Vieng which also include an American man and two Danish women. (Source: News Source)
The bodies of two Australian teenagers, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, have returned home to Melbourne after tragically losing their lives in a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos. The young women, both 19 years old and from Melbourne’s Bayside area, were among six foreign nationals who died more than a week after falling ill in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng.
Their devastated father, Mark Jones, spoke to reporters at Tullamarine airport on Tuesday night after his daughters’ remains were flown back to Australia. “We want to grieve, we miss our daughters desperately,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.
Jones expressed a sense of urgency for accountability, stating, “More needs to be done to ensure those responsible for the contamination are held to account.”
He continued, “I was happy to hear that there’s been some movement over in Laos. I will continue to urge our government to pursue whoever [was responsible].” Jones added, “We cannot have our girls passing and this continuing to happen.”
The Australian Federal Police have offered assistance to the Lao authorities investigating the tragic incident. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured parliament that the government had made it clear to Lao officials their expectation of a thorough and transparent investigation.
The friends were enjoying a holiday in Southeast Asia when tragedy struck. They became ill and failed to check out of the Nana Backpacker Hostel on November 13 after a night out at the Jaidee Bar. Sadly, their condition deteriorated, and they were evacuated to Thailand for urgent medical attention. Despite the efforts of doctors, both Bianca and Holly died in separate Bangkok hospitals, with their heartbroken parents rushing to be by their sides.
The suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng claimed the lives of four other foreign nationals: two young Danish women, a British lawyer, and an American man in his 50s.
According to reports from Laotian sources, eight individuals have been detained in connection with the deaths of an American man and two Danish women in Van Vieng. However, no mention was made of the two Australian women or the British lawyer who also succumbed to the poisoning. Authorities have identified the eight detained individuals as hotel staff and management.
A New Zealand citizen who was among those affected by the contaminated drinks has safely returned home after receiving treatment in Laos.
## Tragedy in Laos: A Conversation
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**Host:** Welcome back to the show. We’re turning now to a heart-wrenching story out of Laos. Two young Australian women, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, have died after suspected methanol poisoning in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng. Their remains have been returned to their family in Australia. Joining us now to discuss this tragedy and its wider implications is Dr. Emily Carter, an expert on Southeast Asian travel safety. Dr. Carter, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me. This is indeed a devastating story, and my heart goes out to the families of the victims.
**Host:** Can you tell us a bit more about what happened in Vang Vieng?
**Dr. Carter:**
From what we know, several tourists, including the two Australian women, fell ill after consuming alcoholic drinks in Vang Vieng. It’s suspected that these drinks were laced with methanol, a highly toxic substance that can be fatal even in small amounts. Sadly, six foreign nationals, including the two Australians, an American man, and two Danish women, have lost their lives. [[1](https://www.nytimes.com/article/laos-methanol-poisonings-tourists.html)]
**Host:** This is a horrific situation. What are the dangers of methanol poisoning, and why might it be present in alcoholic drinks?
**Dr. Carter:** Methanol is often used as an industrial solvent and can be deceptively mixed with ethanol, the type of alcohol found in drinks. It’s cheaper to produce than ethanol, and unscrupulous vendors may add it to alcoholic drinks to increase profits. Methanol consumption can cause blindness, organ damage, and ultimately, death.
**Host:** What can travelers do to protect themselves from this danger?
**Dr. Carter:** This is a crucial question. Unfortunately, detecting methanol in drinks is difficult. Travelers should be cautious about consuming alcohol from street vendors or unlicensed establishments. Stick to reputable bars and restaurants and be wary of suspiciously cheap deals.
**Host:** What is being done to address this situation in Laos?
**Dr. Carter:** Laos authorities have detained eight people in connection with the poisonings, and investigations are ongoing.
It’s crucial for local authorities to take firm action against those responsible and to implement stricter regulations on alcohol production and sales. [[1](https://www.nytimes.com/article/laos-methanol-poisonings-tourists.html)]
**Host:**
This is a vital reminder for anyone traveling, especially to regions where regulations may be less stringent. Dr. Carter, thank you for your insights and for shedding light on this important issue.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
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