Australian teenager Bianca Jones has become the fourth tourist to die from suspected mass poisoning in Laos.
The family of the 19-year-old girl confirmed her death to the media on Thursday. A few hours earlier, the US State Department told the media that an American man died in the tourist town of Wang Vieng.
Authorities confirmed that two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, also died in Laos last week, while Jones’ friend Holly Bowles and a British woman are reportedly on life support in hospital.
The deaths remain under police investigation, but reports and testimonies from fellow tourists suggest they may have consumed drinks laced with methanol, a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albany said the Department of Foreign Affairs had confirmed Ms Jones’ death.
“Our first thoughts at this moment are with his family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss,” Albany said Thursday afternoon.
“This is every parent’s worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.”
The US State Department said it was “closely monitoring” the situation regarding the US victims, adding that it was up to local authorities to determine the cause of death.
Australian And UK Authorities have warned their citizens to beware of methanol poisoning when drinking alcohol in Laos.
