Vientiane: A tragic case of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos has left one Australian teenager dead and another fighting for her life in Bangkok.
Bianca Jones, 19, passed away after being rushed to Thailand in critical condition following a night out in the tourist town of Vang Vieng.
The incident is part of a growing list of suspected methanol poisonings involving foreign tourists in the area. The U.S. State Department has confirmed the death of an American citizen in Vang Vieng, while Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the deaths of two Danes.
Methanol, often illegally added to alcohol to increase volume, can lead to nausea, vomiting, and potentially fatal organ failure. Laos authorities have not confirmed the scale of the poisonings, though several other cases have been reported.
Countries including the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia have updated travel advisories, warning tourists about the risks of drinking in Laos. New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it is providing consular assistance to a citizen possibly affected by methanol poisoning.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed condolences in Parliament, calling the loss “every parent’s very worst fear.” Jones’ family has urged authorities to swiftly investigate and ensure no other family faces such heartache.
