Two young Australian women are currently in critical condition in Thai hospitals after consuming tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, a tourist hotspot in Laos.
The parents of the two 19-year-olds from Melbourne are staying with them at two different hospitals in Thailand—one in Bangkok and the other in Udon Thani, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday.
Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones were guests at a backpacker hostel in Vang Vieng, known for its vibrant nightlife, located north of Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
The hostel’s owner stated that the women had gone out to a local bar on Tuesday, November 12, and were rushed to a hospital in Vientiane early Wednesday morning after showing symptoms of poisoning.
In related incidents, two Danish women in their twenties lost their lives and at least ten others were affected by the contaminated alcohol, according to reports from local media.
Ms. Bowles has been moved to a Bangkok hospital and is currently on life support, while Ms. Jones is receiving care in Udon Thani.
In a heartfelt statement, the family of Ms. Jones expressed their grief, saying, “Our beautiful Bianca was on a dream vacation with her best friend Holly.”
“They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, traveling through Asia. We are here by Bianca’s bedside praying for her.”
Duong Van Huan, who runs the Nana Hostel where the incident occurred, assured ABC that the tainted drinks did not come from his establishment, as no other guests had shown similar symptoms.
He noted his 11-year history of operating in Vientiane and Vang Vieng without such incidents.
Methanol, a toxic chemical that appears as a clear liquid, is sometimes illicitly used to adulterate liquor, substituting the more expensive ethanol. Even minimal ingestion of methanol can lead to fatal outcomes.
