A young Australian has become the sixth foreign tourist to die of suspected methanol poisoning in a backpacker hotspot in northern Laos.
Holly Bowles, 19, died in hospital a day after her best friend Bianca Jones lost her life in a different Thai hospital.
The owner of the hostel where they were staying in Vang Vieng was arrested by Laotian police for questioning, Australia’s ABC reported after an investigation was launched.
British lawyer Simone White, 28, died on Thursday after allegedly drinking similar shots laced with methanol on the night of Nov 12.
Simone White, a British lawyer, died on Thursday from suspected methanol poisoning – FACEBOOK
Miss Bowles’ father confirmed his daughter’s death on Friday. “It’s heartbreaking, and we’re sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace.”
“We find solace and comfort in knowing that Holly has brought so much joy and happiness to so many people,” Shaun Bowles told Nine News.
Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign affairs minister, said: “All Australians will be deeply saddened by this tragic passing.”
“Just yesterday, Holly lost her best friend, Bianca Jones,” Ms Wong said. “I know tonight all Australians will be holding two families in our hearts.”
The two friends, from Melbourne, were in the middle of a “dream” trip to south-east Asia. They were staying in a hostel in Vang Vieng and visited local bars the night they became seriously ill.
The staff at Nana Backpackers Hostel found them in their room when they failed to leave in time.
The Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng where Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones have been staying – Anupam Nath/AP
The other victims, who were staying at the same hostel, included two Danish women in their 20s and an American man.
The Lao government said the suspected cause of their deaths was methanol poisoning.
At least 10 others, including some British tourists, fell ill after drinking in the same town.
They are believed to have drunk drinks contaminated with methanol, which is a cheaper alternative to the ethanol found in alcoholic beverages, but can cause severe poisoning or death.
Duong Duc Toan, manager of the hostel, said he served more than 100 guests on the night of Nov 100 with free shots of Lao Tiger vodka mixed with ice and Coke Zero.
But he has denied that the alcohol is dirty, saying that the hostel does not sell or serve drinks that make travelers sick.
Duong Duc Toan, manager of Nana Backpackers Hostel, served over 100 guests on the night of Nov 100 with free shots of Lao Tiger vodka and Coke Zero – Anupam Nath/AP
“We didn’t do anything wrong, really,” Mr Toan told the ABC, an Australian network. “I really care about all the customers [who] stay with our hotel and our hostel.”
Ms White, from Orpington in the London Borough of Bromley, was taken to hospital after spending time with friend Bethany Clarke, a health worker from Orpington.
It is not clear when Ms White died or the cause of her death. His family was not available for comment when contacted by The Telegraph on Thursday.
Ms Clarke, who was also treated in hospital, said her “liver started to shut down” after drinking free shots provided by one of the bars in Vang Vieng.
He warned other travelers to “avoid local spirits” on a Facebook group for backpackers in Laos.
“Urgent – please protect all local souls,” he wrote. “Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots provided by one of the bars.
“Six of us drank at the same place and are currently in hospital with methanol poisoning,” he added.
A Foreign Office spokesman said on Thursday: “We are supporting the family of the British woman who died in Laos, and are in contact with the local authorities.”
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