Third Australian in hospital following methanol poisoning tragedy in Laos that killed six tourists

A third Australian is recovering in hospital after a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos.

Melburnians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, and four other foreign nationals died in recent weeks after falling ill in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town in Laos. 

It has since been revealed a third Australian also fell ill in the suspected poisoning incident.

They are reported to be in stable condition and are receiving support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). 

Local media has reported eight people were detained over the deaths of an American man and two Danish women in Van Vieng, but there was no mention of the two Australians or a British woman who also died of suspected methanol poisoning. 

The men detained were identified as hotel staff and management. 

Australian Federal Police has offered to help the Laos investigation, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese telling parliament the government had made it clear to officials they expect a thorough and transparent investigation. 

Friends of the Ms Jones and Ms Bowles from Beaumaris in Melbourne’s southeast have adorned their suburb with blue and yellow ribbons, the colour of the two teenagers’ football team, in their honour. 

Eight staff from the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where Melbourne teenager Holly Bowles (above) died after drinking an allegedly contaminated beverage, were arrested on Monday

The friends were on holiday in Laos when they became ill and failed to check out of Nana Backpackers Hostel on November 13 after a night at nearby Jaidee Bar. 

The pair were evacuated to Thailand and died in separate Bangkok hospitals after their parents raced to be by their bedsides. 

DFAT said in a statement that Australian representatives were assisting local authorities and it had provided consular assistance to the families of the two teenagers.

‘Australian officials in Laos and Thailand are working closely with local authorities. Investigations are underway and we are offering any assistance we can provide.’ 

The bodies of Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were flown back to Australia on Tuesday night.

After landing in Melbourne, Ms Jones’ father Mark said his family would try to put their lives back together after the tragedy.

‘We want to grieve, we miss our daughters desperately,’ he told reporters at Tullamarine airport.

However, he said more needed to be done to ensure those responsible for the contamination were held to account.

‘I was happy to hear that there’s been some movement over in Laos, I will continue to urge our government to pursue whoever was responsible,’ Mr Jones said.

‘We cannot have our girls passing and this continuing to happen.’

Early testing indicated methanol was allegedly present in beer and spirits served at the Nana Backpackers Hostel (pictured)

A fundraiser for the families had raised $330,000 as of Wednesday morning, prompting loved ones to expand their efforts to raise awareness of methanol poisoning.

Its three goals are to relieve financial burdens for the families, support methanol poisoning education measures and funding awareness campaigns.

The grieving families are now seeking to raise $500,000.

‘Your contributions, kind words, and willingness to share their story have inspired us beyond measure,’ the Jones and Bowles families said in a statement released on their GoFundMe page on Tuesday.

‘Every dollar raised will go towards making a lasting impact and ensuring that their story saves lives. We’re so grateful for your support and hope you’ll continue to stand with us as we work towards this larger goal.’