Aussie teen Holly Bowles dies after alleged methanol poisoning with her best friend in Laos – as police detain the hostel owner

Australian teenager Holly Bowles has died after suffering alleged methanol poisoning during a holiday to Laos with her best friend.

The family of the 19-year-old confirmed she had died in hospital in Bangkok on Friday, surrounded by her loved ones.

Her best friend Bianca Jones also died in hospital just one day earlier.

Ms Bowles is the fifth person to die after drinks were mixed with methanol and served to guests at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in the popular party town of Vang Vieng. 

She and Ms Jones had been on a gap year holiday when they both fell ill on November 12. 

Staff became concerned after they failed to check out on November 13 and arranged to take the pair to hospital after they ‘calmly’ asked for assistance. 

CCTV from inside the hostel shows one of the women being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike being driven by a hotel staff worker. 

Earlier on Thursday, the US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen, a 56-year-old man, in Vang Vieng.

The Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed two young women from Denmark have also died.

More to come 

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