The families of two Australian teenagers who tragically lost their lives in a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos have expressed relief at the detention of eight individuals as part of the ongoing investigation.
Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, were among six foreign tourists who died after reportedly consuming alcohol laced with toxic methanol, a substance often found in bootleg liquor.
The teenagers’ bodies were repatriated to Melbourne on Tuesday evening, accompanied by grieving family members.
Speaking at the airport, Bianca’s father, Mark Jones, called for continued efforts by Laotian authorities to ensure justice.
“We miss our daughters desperately. It’s a small comfort to know there’s some progress in Laos,” he said. “We can’t let this keep happening to others.”
Local media reports revealed that eight staff members of the Nana Backpackers hostel, where the victims were staying, have been taken into custody for questioning.
The hostel, now shut down, has faced allegations of serving illicit alcohol, though its owners deny the claims.
The hostel’s manager, who was questioned last week, reportedly stated that the Australians had been the only guests who fell ill after consuming free shots offered at the venue.
The other victims of the tragedy include a 28-year-old British lawyer, Simone White, a 57-year-old American, James Louis Hutson, and Danish tourists Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21.
Mr. Hutson was discovered lifeless in his hostel room on November 13, surrounded by empty glasses.
The Danish victims were found unconscious in their rooms the same morning and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Authorities are yet to determine the full extent of the poisoning, as investigations continue into whether other individuals may have also fallen ill.
Methanol poisoning is a persistent issue in Southeast Asia, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions along the Mekong River.
Methanol, a toxic substance used in industrial products, is sometimes added to counterfeit alcohol to increase volume.
Consuming as little as 25ml—a mere half shot—can be fatal, though symptoms may take up to 24 hours to manifest.
Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, and blurred vision, and without prompt medical attention, the poisoning can result in organ failure or death.
Vang Vieng, the Laotian town where the tragedy occurred, is widely known as a party hotspot. The incident has reignited global warnings about the dangers of consuming spirits in Laos and similar destinations.
### Families Demand Action
The families of the Australian teenagers have vowed to raise awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning.
“We don’t want any other family to endure this kind of loss,” said Mr. Jones.
He urged Laotian authorities to pursue justice vigorously and hold those responsible accountable.
Australian officials have also advised travelers to exercise extreme caution when consuming alcohol abroad, particularly in regions notorious for bootleg spirits.
