Second Australian teenager dies in tainted alcohol incident that killed 6 tourists in Laos

VANG VIENG, Laos — A second Australian teenager who became critically ill after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos has died in a Bangkok hospital, his family said Friday, bringing the death toll in the mass poisoning of foreign tourists to six.

Holly Bowles, 19, was in critical condition on life support following a poisoning in Laos more than a week ago.

“We are deeply saddened to say that our beautiful daughter Holly is now at peace,” her family said in a statement sent to Australian Network 10 and other Australian media. “We take comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brings so much joy.” and happiness to many people.”

An officer at the Vang Vieng Tourism Police office, who declined to give his name, told The Associated Press on Friday that “several people” have been detained in the case but no charges have yet been filed. Staff at Nana Backpacker Hostel, which is still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed that the manager and owner were among those questioned.

Tourist police offices are common throughout Southeast Asia and are set up specifically to assist with incidents involving tourists and other foreigners.

The U.S. State Department issued a health alert for citizens traveling in Laos on Friday, warning citizens of “suspected methanol poisoning in Wang Vieng, possibly through the consumption of methanol-laced alcoholic beverages,” following similar warnings from other countries involved.

Australia’s prime minister announced on Thursday that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died in a Thai hospital where she had been evacuated for emergency treatment, and that her friend Bowles was “fighting for her life” in hospital.

The British Foreign Office said that a 28-year-old British woman named Simone White also died as a result of suspected poisoning.