Community farewell beloved teen who died from poisoning in Laos

The funeral service for Jones was held at Mentone Girl’s Grammar, in Mentone, the same school Jones had graduated from last year.

Just before the funeral service, Principal Natalie Charles read a statement on behalf of the family.

“We want to thank the people of Australia and the wider community for their outpouring of love, support and compassion during this extremely difficult time,” Charles said.

“Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort for our family. Today is a profoundly significant day as we come together to honour Bianca’s life and say our final goodbyes.

“The immense love shown by so many is a testament to the profound impact she had reflected in the scale of today’s farewell.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the awareness of Bianca, Holly and others, internationally impacted by this tragic story continue.

“Their legacies are far too important to be forgotten and our children’s lives too important not to protect.

“We hope their stories drive change and inspire efforts to save lives. We kindly ask that our family be given the space to grieve on this deeply emotional day.”

Attendees were asked to wear springtime colours, as requested by the Jones family.

The girls had free shots at the hostel before going out and drinking at other bars on the night before they were found ill but the hostel owner insisted the drinks did not come from his bar.

A third Australian was later confirmed to have fallen ill but was last known to be recovering in hospital in a stable condition.

The deaths sparked outrage, well wishes and warnings from Canberra to Washington, including messages from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, various consulates and even Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder.

9News understands at least 11 staff from Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng have now been taken into custody as part of investigations into potentially tainted drinks.

It’s believed the source of the deadly outbreak is a rundown factory outside Vientiane that was making Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky.

The factory has been ordered to close and the owner has been arrested.

Laos has banned the sale and consumption of Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky after the deaths of the tourists.

It’s often deliberately and illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, according to the Methanol Institute.

Drinking less than 25 ml of methanol can be fatal.