Aussie teen dies in Bangkok after Laos poisoning, 4 dead

One of the Melbourne teenagers on an idyllic backpacking adventure in Asia has died in a Bangkok hospital from a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos.

Bianca Jones, a 19 year old Australian tourist, became the latest person to die from a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos after drinking vodka shots. The Aussie teen’s death is the fourth in just over a week, with police scrambling to investigate the deadly trend sweeping the town of Vang Vieng.

Jones’ family confirmed the tragic news today, November 21, just hours after the US State Department revealed an American man had also died in the same area. Meanwhile, two young Danish women, aged 19 and 20, met a similar fate last week, sparking fears that a batch of toxic, bootleg alcohol could be to blame.

Jones’ friend, 19 year old Holly Bowles, is currently in critical condition in Bangkok, along with a British woman, as both fight for their lives on life support.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his sorrow for the teenager’s death.

“Our first thoughts at this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.”

Jones and Bowles were reportedly staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, where the hostel manager told the Associated Press that over 100 guests were offered free shots of Lao vodka.

The manager said no other guests reported health issues but confirmed the hostel has now ceased giving out free alcohol amid the police investigation.

Australian and UK police have issued urgent warnings to travellers about the dangers of methanol poisoning in Laos, advising caution when consuming alcohol in the country.

Methanol, unlike ethanol found in standard alcoholic drinks, is highly toxic and often used by bootleggers to increase alcohol content cheaply but with lethal results.

In recent years, methanol poisonings have claimed lives across the globe, with mass deaths reported in India, the Philippines, and Peru, reported BBC News.

Jones’ family has requested privacy as they mourn, thanking supporters for the “overwhelming support, love, and prayers.”

ORIGINAL STORY: Melbourne teenagers fight for life in Thailand after toxic vodka shots

Two Melbourne teenagers are fighting for their lives in Thailand after allegedly downing poisoned vodka shots, raising alarm among travellers in the region. The pair, both 19 years old and fresh from university holidays, were rushed to hospital from the Laotian capital, Vientiane, with police suspecting their drinks had been laced with lethal methanol.

Those dreams of carefree travels have quickly turned into a nightmare for the best friends, believed to be Beaumaris Secondary College graduates, as they face a precarious battle for survival. They’re now receiving critical care in hospitals in Udon Thani and Bangkok. One father has rushed to stand vigil at his daughter’s bedside.

The crisis doesn’t end there: two people are feared dead in the local area, and ten more are critically ill following methanol poisoning. Chaos reigns as another traveller, struck down by the toxic wave, reported six individuals were admitted to her hospital in Vientiane, all with methanol poisoning from Vang Vieng, a hot spot for adventurous tourists.

“Stay safe and avoid free bar shots, as they may contain local spirits tainted with high methanol levels.”

Her group suffered the fallout firsthand after accepting free shots, the disastrous outcome left six of them hospitalised.

A staff member at Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng recalls the group of Aussie teens staying the previous week. The girls ventured out for a lively night only to be found seriously unwell the next morning, requiring immediate hospitalisation.

“I am so sad. They were very friendly.”

Melbourne radio station 3AW Drive host Jacqui Felgate spoke to the father of one of the girls who said his daughter was in “grave” condition. The radio host added a sombre touch to the story.

“I think it’s one of those stories where if you have teenage kids, you go home and hug them a little tighter.”

Methanol, typically an industrial solvent, can be catastrophic if consumed, with just 25-90ml proving potentially fatal. In countries with high alcohol taxes, it’s often illicitly mixed into drinks as a cheap ethanol substitute, warns the Methanol Institute.

Travel insurance agency Cover-More urges caution: “Methanol is highly toxic and can lead to blindness, coma, and death.”

They advise sticking to alcohol from reputable venues and avoiding dubious bucket cocktails and cheap mixes.

Travellers are warned to be wary of deals “too good to be true” and to inspect bottle seals and labels carefully. Signs of methanol poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, and vision problems. “Listen to your body,” Cover-More cautions.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed it’s helping the teens’ families.

“Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time.”

Further information remains private due to confidentiality obligations, reported The Daily Mail.

This alarming incident serves as a dark reminder for holidaymakers to tread carefully and trust their instincts when abroad, underscoring the unseen dangers that can lurk behind seemingly harmless indulgences.