A US citizen is reportedly the third person to die from suspected methanol poisoning as the lives of two young Australian women continue to hang in the balance.
Best friends Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, remain in hospital on life support in Thailand after they fell gravely ill while in Vang Vieng in Laos, on the Thai border.
It’s believed they had imbibed tainted drinks that were perhaps contaminated with methanol last week.
The pair were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, and drank at the hostel before they went on to drink at Jaidee bar on November 11.
They then did not leave their dorm room for 24 hours before they reported feeling unwell last Wednesday and failed to check out as scheduled.
It’s reported that the death toll from the potentially tainted drinks has now risen to three.
Two other travellers, believed to be from Denmark, had initially been reported dead, while multiple others were taken to hospital.
Asked about media reports, Denmark’s Foreign Ministry told The Associated Press that “two Danish citizens have passed away in Laos” but that it could not provide specifics for “reasons of confidentiality in personal matters.”
Now, the Sydney Morning Herald has reported that a US citizen has become the third person to succumb to the suspected spate of methanol poisoning, citing the US State Department’s confirmation an American had died while in Vang Vieng.
It’s believed a New Zealand tourist is also among those in hospital.
A major investigation is now underway in Laos.
Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said Tuesday that staff were told by other guests that the two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.
He said that two days earlier the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality.
He said no other guest reported any issue, adding that the women had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.
Toan said he hoped the investigation would clear the hostel’s name, but for now staff have stopped giving free shots to guests.
Holly Bowles’ father Shaun Bowles spoke for the first time yesterday after the families of both teens flew to Thailand to be with them.
“Our daughter remains in the intensive care unit, in a critical condition. She’s on life support,” Shaun Bowles said.
“We would just like to thank everyone back home for all the support and love.”
Bianca Jones’ family also released a statement yesterday, saying there was no update in her condition.
“Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia,” the statement from the family reads.
“This is every parent’s nightmare and we want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through. We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible.”
