An Australian teenager has become the sixth person to die from a suspected methanol poisoning in Laos.
Holly Bowles, 19, from Melbourne, died on Friday morning days after her best friend Biana Jones tragically lost her life earlier this week.
Bowles’ family confirmed to Australian outlet Nine News that she had died in a Bangkok hospital surrounded by loved ones.
“It is with broken hearts, and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” Holly’s dad, Shaun Bowles, told the channel.
“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people,” he added.
Holly and Biana, who were travelling in South East Asia during a gap year holiday, both fell ill on November 13, according to reports.
They’re believed to have been served drinks containing methanol during a night out, but it is not clear where.
Staff at the Nana Packer hotel said they were alerted to them being unwell when they failed to check out. Two days before they were due to vacate the room, the women had joined over 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality, the hostel manager said.
According to staff, no other guests reported any issue.
It comes after it was announced on Thursday that British woman Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent had died after allegedly drinking “free shots” from a local bar in the town.
The UK Foreign Office said it is supporting Simone’s family, and is “in contact with the local authorities”.
Two Danish women in their 20s and a US citizen, 56, have also died as a result of the suspected mass poisoning. At least five British travellers have also reportedly been hospitalised.
Several people, including the manager and owner of the Nana Backpacker hostel, where Holly and Biana were staying, have been detained by police as investigations continue, as per ITV News.
Staff at the Vang Vieng hostel confirmed that the manager and owner were among them, the outlet reports.
In a statement, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles. I offer my deepest sympathies to her family and friends.”
