US citizen among 4 dead in Laos after suspected alcohol poisoning

An American, 2 Danes and 1 Australian tourer died aft drinking tainted intoxicant successful Laos pursuing reports that respective radical had been sickened successful a municipality fashionable with backpackers.

The lone victim's individuality publically released truthful acold is 19-year-old Bianca Jones of Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament connected Thursday that Jones had died aft being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos, for attraction successful a Thai hospital. Her friend, besides 19, remains hospitalized successful neighboring Thailand.

"This is each parent’s precise worst fearfulness and a nightmare that nary 1 should person to endure," Albanese said, according to The Associated Press. "We besides instrumentality this infinitesimal to accidental that we’re reasoning of Bianca’s person Holly Bowles, who is warring for her life."

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A announcement displayed astatine the barroom of Nana Backpack hostel successful Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Shaun Bowles told reporters extracurricular Bangkok Hospital connected Wednesday that his girl remained successful captious information and connected beingness support.

"We conscionable similar to convey everyone from backmost location for each of the enactment and emotion that we’re receiving," helium said. "But we’d besides similar the radical to admit close now, we conscionable request privateness truthful we tin walk arsenic overmuch clip arsenic we tin with Holly."

Australian media said Jones was the 4th overseas tourer to dice aft consuming the contaminated alcohol.

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A antheral plays excavation astatine Nana Backpack hostel successful Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

"The doc who examined her said the origin of decease was a methanol poisoning, from fake liquor," Phattanawong Chanphon, a constabulary authoritative successful the Thai city, told Reuters. "The magnitude of methanol successful her assemblage was high, starring to swelling of the brain."

Counterfeit liquor is simply a occupation successful Laos, with the governments of Australia and Britain informing citizens to beryllium cautious erstwhile having drinks there.

Methanol is simply a toxic intoxicant that is utilized industrially arsenic a solvent, pesticide and alternate substance source, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Foreign tourists person a portion astatine a nightclub astatine Nana Backpack hostel successful Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

The U.S. Department of State did not respond to a Fox News Digital inquiry, but told the AP that section authorities were investigating the lawsuit and were liable for providing immoderate details. The State Department noted that the U.S. was providing consular assistance.

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"At this clip I would accidental to parents, to young people, delight person a speech astir risks, delight pass yourselves, delight let’s enactment unneurotic to guarantee this calamity doesn’t hap again," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said aft receiving quality of Jones' death.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this request.