An Australian teenager tragically lost her life after consuming contaminated alcohol in the popular tourist destination of Vang Vieng, Laos. Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, reported on Thursday that Bianca Jones, aged 19, passed away following her evacuation to a hospital in Thailand for medical treatment. Her companion, also 19 years old, is currently receiving care in Thailand after falling ill during the same incident.
Alongside this, the U.S. State Department confirmed that an American tourist has also succumbed to the same unfortunate circumstances. However, they chose not to release additional details out of consideration for the affected families.
The two Australian women began to feel unwell on November 13, after enjoying a night out with friends. It is believed that their drinks were contaminated with methanol, a hazardous substance that is sometimes illicitly used in place of genuine alcohol in unreliable bars. Methanol consumption can lead to severe health complications, including poisoning and death.
In a related note, New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that one of its nationals is experiencing health issues in Laos, potentially connected to methanol poisoning. Additionally, Denmark’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged that two of its citizens have died in Laos but refrained from providing any further information when approached regarding the poisoning situation.