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Australian teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones were traveling together when they fell ill.
A second Australian teenager has died from suspected methanol poisoning, bringing to six the number of foreign tourists who have died after apparently drinking contaminated alcohol in Laos.
The family of Holly Bowles, 19, said they were heartbroken to confirm her death, more than a week after she fell ill in the tourist town of Vang Vieng.
Her friend Bianca Jones, also 19, and British lawyer Simone White, 28, from south-east London, were confirmed dead on Thursday.
An unnamed American man and two Danes, aged 19 and 20, are also among the victims of this suspected poisoning, which is believed to be linked to contraband alcohol.
In a statement released to media on Friday, Holly's family said they were comforted that she had brought so much “joy and happiness to so many people.”
They added that she was living “her best life traveling across Southeast Asia, meeting new friends and having incredible experiences” when she fell ill.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic death of Holly Bowles. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Holly and Bianca were taken to hospital on Wednesday, November 13, after failing to leave their hostel in the small riverside town of Vang Vieng, about two hours north of the capital Vientiane.
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Vang Vieng is a popular backpacker town in Laos
News reports and eyewitness accounts suggest the tourists may have consumed alcohol containing methanol – a deadly substance often found in moonshine.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel – where the Australian teenagers were staying – said it handed out free shots to around 100 guests the night before.
The hostel manager told the Associated Press news agency that no other guests had felt ill.
The hostel manager has since been arrested for questioning by police.
Australia is pushing authorities to be transparent in their investigation into the incident, which also reportedly left another British woman in hospital.
New Zealand and Dutch officials also said they were monitoring incidents involving nationals.
Vang Vieng is a hub for backpackers traveling across Southeast Asia. It is home to the Banana Pancake Trail, a popular hiking route crossing Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
