Aussie teen dies in Bangkok after Laos poisoning, 4 dead

[snoop1130]

 

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.”

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of Herald Sun via Yahoo News

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-21

 

 

[Jessi]

R.i.P.

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

is highly toxic and often used by bootleggers to increase alcohol content cheaply

 

Nonsense. It's added by poisoners who want to kill people.

 

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

23 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

Nonsense. It's added by poisoners who want to kill people.

 

 

 

 

   I doubt very much that their intention was to deliberately kill people .

Why would they want to do that ?