<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>333644</docID> <postdate>2024-11-21 16:23:31</postdate> <headline>Teen dies after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-333646" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241120176871597685-original-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="817" height="454" /></p> <caption>Bianca Jones (right) has died from suspected methanol poisoning. Holly Bowles remains in hospital. (Supplied by 7news/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Holly Hales </b>and<b> Emily Verdouw</b> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>The passing of Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos is "every parent's worst fear", Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.</strong></p> <p>Mr Albanese paid tribute to the 19-year-old in federal parliament on Thursday, as her friend Holly Bowles, also 19, continues to fight for her life in a Bangkok hospital.</p> <p>"This is every parent's very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure," Mr Albanese said.</p> <p>"Bianca's trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come.</p> <p>"Memories that she should have carried with her into the long, bright future that lay ahead of her. It is beyond sad that this is not to be."</p> <p>Ms Jones' family earlier confirmed her death in a statement to the Herald Sun, saying she was "surrounded by love" in her final moments</p> <p>The pair, from Beaumaris in Melbourne's southeast, had been holidaying in Laos when they became ill along with a dozen other tourists in the popular town of Vang Vieng last week.</p> <p>They had planned to stay at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng and drank at the venue before reportedly going to a Jaidee bar on November 11.</p> <p>The two 19-year-olds did not leave their dorm room for 24 hours and reported feeling unwell on November 13.</p> <p>Both teens were later taken to separate hospitals in Bangkok and their families flew from Melbourne to be at their bedsides.</p> <p>Ms Jones' federal member, Zoe Daniel, became emotional as she also paid tribute to the teenagers in parliament.</p> <p>"To the families of these two young Aussie girls who just headed off on an adventure together," the MP for Goldstein said.</p> <p>"I know that so many members of our community are connected to these girls, to these families, I feel your grief. Our hearts are broken."</p> <p>Foreign Minister Penny Wong said drink spiking and methanol poisoning were "far too common in many parts of the world".</p> <p>"At this time I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks, please inform yourselves, please let's work together to ensure this tragedy does not happen again," she said.</p> <p>Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan said the Australian women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality.</p> <p>Ms Jones is the fourth person to die in the apparent mass poisoning following the deaths of two Danish women an American, the US State Department confirmed.</p> <p>British lawyer Simone White, 28, from Kent, was among a reported dozen taken to hospital, The Times reported.</p> <p>Her friend Bethany Clarke urged tourists in the region to avoid local spirits after their group fell ill.</p> <p>"Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as so not worth it," she wrote in a Laos backpacking Facebook group.</p> <p>"Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning."</p> <p>The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for comment.</p> <p>Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular assistance was being provided to the families of the two Australians girls.</p> </body>