A second Australian teenager, Holly Bowles, has died in Laos, reportedly due to suspected methanol poisoning. Holly, 19, passed away more than a week after falling ill in the tourist town of Vang Vieng. Her death brings the total number of foreign tourists who have died from the suspected poisoning to six, including her friend Bianca Jones, also 19, and British lawyer Simone White, 28, who were confirmed dead on Thursday.
The deaths are believed to be linked to bootleg alcohol containing methanol, a toxic substance often found in illicitly produced spirits. Methanol, which resembles ethanol in taste and appearance, can be deadly even in small amounts. It is sometimes added to alcohol due to its cheaper cost.
Holly’s family expressed their grief in a statement released on Friday, describing her as someone who brought “joy and happiness to so many people” and had been living her “best life” while traveling through Southeast Asia. The family revealed that Holly and Bianca had been staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, where they were taken to the hospital on November 13 after failing to check out of their accommodation.
News reports suggest the young women may have consumed tainted alcohol the night before their hospitalization, as the hostel gave free shots to around 100 guests. The hostel’s manager has been detained for questioning, though no other guests have reported becoming ill.
Alongside Holly and Bianca, an unnamed U.S. man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also believed to be victims of the poisoning. The authorities have not yet confirmed the exact source of the tainted alcohol, but it is suspected to have been linked to bootleg liquor sold in the area.
Vang Vieng, a popular backpacking destination, is a part of the Banana Pancake Trail—a well-known route for travelers exploring Southeast Asia. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her condolences, stating that the tragic deaths would be felt deeply across Australia.
Simone White, a lawyer from South-East London, was traveling with a group of friends at the time of her death. White worked at global law firm Squire Patton Boggs and specialized in intellectual property law.
The Australian government has called for transparency in the investigation, with New Zealand and Dutch officials also monitoring the situation. Authorities continue to investigate the deaths, which have cast a shadow over Vang Vieng’s reputation as a backpacker hotspot.
