Barr devastated by poisoned teenagers

Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr is devastated after Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles returned home with their parents’ bodies.

Ms Jones and Ms Bowles, both 19, died in hospitals in Thailand last week after falling ill with suspected methanol poisoning.

The couple, who were on the “journey of a lifetime” across Southeast Asia, are believed to have consumed tainted alcohol while staying at popular tourist spot Vang Vieng in Laos.

The suspected poisoning also claimed the lives of four other international tourists: a British woman, an American man and two Danes.

A third Australian also fell ill following suspected poisoning, according to The Guardian.

On Tuesday, it was announced that eight men, aged between 23 and 47, were arrested on suspicion of mass methanol poisoning.

The bodies of Ms Jones and Ms Bowles landed at Melbourne airport as the arrests were announced.

Her parents, who were also on the same flight, spoke to the media and Ms Jones’ father Mark said he was happy to hear there had been progress in the investigation.

“We want to mourn, we miss our girls desperately,” Mr Jones said.

“I’m glad to hear there’s movement in Laos, we can’t let our girls pass and this keeps happening.”

Barr broke down while watching the video of Mr Jones speaking to Ms Bowles’ father at the airport and praising the pair.

Natalie Barr was left devastated after Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles returned home with the bodies of their parents.

“Isn’t it great to watch those two dads have to do that and have to face the media?” Barr said on Sunrise Wednesday morning.

“Our hearts go out to all the families and friends affected.

“I hope justice will be served here.”

Following suspicion of poisoning, eight people were arrested, including the staff and managers of the hostel where six tourists were believed to be staying.

The ages of the eight people arrested were 23, 28, 34, 35, 38, 42, 44 and 47.

The Laos government had previously stated in a statement on Saturday that it was “deeply saddened by the loss of life of foreign tourists.”

“The Lao PDR government is conducting investigations to find the reasons for the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

Mr Jones had called on the Laotian government to investigate the incident “to the fullest extent”.

“We can’t let our daughter pass away…we can’t bring about a change to protect others,” he said.

Vang Vieng has been a popular holiday destination for backpackers for years.

Ms Jones and Ms Bowles had traveled to the small town, 130km north of Vientiane, earlier this month as part of their adventure.

The young people’s “passion for life and adventure” had been “cruelly cut short”.

“Our daughter went on the ride of a lifetime with one of her best friends,” Mr. Jones said.

“This was supposed to be a trip full of memories for a lifetime, and it was going to be the first of many.

“Bianca wanted to explore the world, make new friends, lead, and create change for good.”

The couple died in separate hospitals after being found ill in their room at Nana Backpacker Hostel on November 13.