Sixth foreign tourist dies of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos

A 2nd Australian teen has died of suspected methanol poisoning, bringing to six the fig of overseas tourists who person died aft seemingly drinking tainted intoxicant successful Laos.

The household of Holly Bowles, 19, said they were "heartbroken" to corroborate her death, much than a week aft she fell sick successful the tourer municipality of Vang Vieng.

Her person Bianca Jones, besides 19, and British lawyer Simone White, 28, from south-east London, were confirmed to person died connected Thursday.

An unnamed US antheral and 2 Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are besides among the victims of the suspected poisoning, believed to beryllium connected to bootleg alcohol.

In a connection released to media connected Friday, Holly's household said they were taking comfortableness from the information she had brought truthful overmuch "joy and happiness to truthful galore people".

They added that she had been surviving "her champion beingness travelling done South East Asia gathering caller friends and enjoying unthinkable experiences" erstwhile she became ill.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “All Australians volition beryllium heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles. I connection my deepest sympathies to her household and friends."

Holly and Bianca were taken to infirmary connected Wednesday, 13 November, aft they failed to cheque retired of their hostel successful the small, riverside municipality of Vang Vieng, astir 2 hours northbound of the superior Vientiane.

News reports and testimonies suggest the tourists whitethorn person consumed intoxicant laced with methanol - a deadly substance often recovered successful bootleg alcohol.

The Nana Backpacker Hostel - wherever the Australian teenagers were staying - has said it gave retired escaped shots to astir 100 guests the erstwhile evening.

The hostel's manager told quality bureau Associated Press that nary different guests had go unwell.

The manager of the hostel has since been detained for questioning by police.

Australia is pushing authorities to beryllium unfastened astir their probe into the incident, which is besides reported to person near different British pistillate successful hospital.

New Zealand and Dutch officials person besides some said they were monitoring incidents involving nationals.

Vang Vieng, is simply a hub for backpackers travelling crossed south-east Asia. It's location to the Banana Pancake Trail - a fashionable backpacking way spanning Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.