Annie Walton Doyle
A teenage girl has died after taking a shot of vodka on vacation.
The Australian teenager is feared to be the fifth victim after consuming alcohol in Laos.
The tragic incident follows the deaths of four other individuals who also appear to have fallen ill.
The family of 19-year-old Bianca Jones confirmed her passing in a Thai hospital, one week after she was rushed there with her friend, Holly Bowles, who is also 19.
Both young women had been staying at a hostel in Vang Vieng, a well-known backpacker destination in Laos, when they fell critically ill.
The two had reportedly consumed free shots of Lao vodka.
Following their illness, they were quickly transported to a hospital in Thailand for treatment.
Jones, who had been fighting for her life, passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital.
In a heartfelt statement, her family expressed their deep sorrow: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away.
“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.”
They went on to thank those who had offered support in the wake of their loss: “We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia. The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling.”
Jones and Bowles had arrived in Vang Vieng as part of their holiday plans, but tragically, their time there was cut short after they consumed the free vodka shots offered by their hostel.
According to the Associated Press, the hostel had given out shots to over 100 guests before the two women went out for the evening.
Despite this, the hostel manager has stated that no other guests reported any health issues related to the free alcohol.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of alcohol in Laos, especially in tourist hotspots like Vang Vieng, where cheap, unregulated alcohol is readily available, and, in this instance, is suspected to have been laced with methanol.
Methanol, a toxic substance that can cause severe poisoning or death if consumed, is sometimes added to bootleg alcohol in an attempt to increase its potency.
It is still unclear whether the alcohol consumed by the victims was deliberately tampered with or whether it was an accidental contamination.
Bianca’s tragic death adds to a growing number of fatalities linked to contaminated alcohol in Laos.
The US State Department confirmed that an American man had also died after consuming suspected tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng.
Additionally, Denmark’s foreign ministry confirmed that two Danish nationals had died after similar incidents.
Holly Bowles, who remains in critical condition, is still fighting for her life in the hospital.
The BBC reported that a British woman may also be in hospital on life support due to similar poisoning.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact locations where the poisoning incidents took place, but they have raised the possibility of a widespread problem affecting several tourists in the area.
In light of the tragedy, New Zealand’s foreign ministry issued an update to its travel advisory, confirming that one of its citizens is unwell in Laos and may also be another victim of methanol poisoning.
The ministry urged travelers to exercise caution and be aware of the risks associated with consuming alcohol in the region.
Methanol poisoning is a serious concern in parts of Southeast Asia, where bootleg alcohol is often sold at lower prices.
Methanol is far more dangerous than ethanol, the type of alcohol typically consumed in beverages, and even small amounts can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, blindness, and in severe cases, death.
Authorities in Laos have not yet confirmed whether methanol was the cause of the recent deaths, but experts are investigating the possibility.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences to Bianca’s family, calling the incident every parent’s worst fear.
“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure. We also take this moment to say that we’re thinking of Bianca’s friend Holly Bowles, who is fighting for her life,” he said.
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