At least six foreign tourists have died due to suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, media reports said.
According to reports, 19-year-old Holly Bowles is now the second Australian to have died of suspected methanol poisoning in the country.
She reportedly died in a hospital in Thailand. She died a day after her friend Bianca Jones died.
“It is with broken hearts and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” Bowles’ family said in a statement as quoted by Seven News.
“Holly was living her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences,” the statement said.
“As her parents, we were always so incredibly proud of everything Holly did. Holly was an amazing big sister to James and she always looked out for him,” the statement said.
Britain’s Foreign Office told CNN on Thursday that a British woman had died in Laos, without naming her or the circumstances of her death.
The US State Department confirmed to CNN on Thursday that an American citizen had died in Vang Vieng. It did not give a reason for the person’s death.
Meanwhile, Laos News Agency on Friday confirmed that three tourists died in the country due to suspected consumption of tainted alcoholic beverages.
In its report, the news agency said the victims were two Danish nationals, both females and one American national.
The three deaths were reported from Vang Vieng region in the country.
Lao authorities have started gathering evidence and witness accounts of the deaths of foreign tourists.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Laos on Friday issued a statement to alert people from drinking alcohol in Laos.
“Purchase alcoholic beverages and drinks from licensed liquor stores, bars, and hotels. Avoid homemade alcoholic drinks,” the Embassy in its alert.
“Check liquor bottles for signs of tampering or counterfeiting, such as labels with poor print quality or incorrect spelling,” the statement said.
As per Mediline website, Methanol is a non drinking type of alcohol used for industrial and automotive purposes.
