Laos mass poisoning DREAMS END IN NIGHTMARE

GRIEVING FAMILIES DEMAND ANSWERS AS DEATH TOLL GROWS

As the deadly mass alcohol poisoning continues to send shockwaves around the world, a third Australian holiday-maker is reportedly recovering in hospital from suspected methanol poisoning. Six tourists – including Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles died after drinking spirits tainted with methanol while holidaying in the town of Vang Vieng, a renowned tourist party hotspot in the Laos jungle.

The 19-year-old best friends, who were in the country as part of a “trip of a lifetime”, were taken to separate hospitals in Thailand after being found sick in their room at the Nana Backpackers Hostel on November 13. On November 21, Bianca passed away, with Holly also succumbing to the effects of the poisonous concoction the following day.

“Her life had just begun. She was a young woman that had a lust for life,” Bianca’s father, Mark Jones, told reporters in Bangkok.

“This was meant to be a trip full of lifelong memories, and was to be the first of many. Bianca wanted to explore the world, meet new friends, lead and create change for good. We’ll forever miss our beautiful girl and hope her loss of life has not been in vain.”