Tourists are taking extra safety precautions as two Australian teens fight for life in hospital following suspected methanol poisoning in Laos.
Friends Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both aged 19, had been staying at a hostel near Laos' capital Vientiane when they fell critically ill in a suspected mass methanol drink spiking event.
The Melbourne teens, who are now reportedly on life support in separate Thailand hospitals, had booked to stay at Nana Backpacker Hostel together.
Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan said the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality, AP reported.
He said hostel staff were told by other guests that the women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.
He said no other guest reported any issue, adding the women had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.
Mr Toan hoped the investigation would clear the hostel's name but for now the venue had stopped giving free shots to guests.
Jasmine Antonius, a Dutch tourist who has been in nearby Vang Vieng for three days, said she was trying to be careful with drinks after she heard about the case.
"I think sometimes you’re not really watching how your drinks are being made,” she told AP.
“I feel now it’s a wake up call for many people since this happened. So I hope people would take more precaution because it’s really sad.”
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles both played for the Beaumaris Football Club, where they enjoyed winning a premiership together in 2022.
Club president Nick Heath extended love, best wishes and unconditional support to the teens and their families in their hour of need.
"The situation that occurred whilst both girls were travelling in Southeast Asia is tragic and distressing," he said in a statement.
"By their deeds and involvement in the girls and women’s football programs, both Holly and Bianca have become cherished and highly respected members of the Beaumaris Sharks family."
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular assistance was being provided to two Australians and their families in Thailand.
The Jones family said they “can’t believe what has happened to our angel,” according to a statement issued to the Herald Sun.
“Our beautiful Bianca was on a dream getaway with her best friend Holly,” they told the newspaper.
“They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia.
“We are here by Bianca’s bedside praying for her. Please respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
It can be difficult to differentiate between alcohol that's safe to drink and methanol because it is a colourless alcohol used for industrial purposes, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres.
Australia's Smartraveller website urges tourists to be on the look out for methanol poisoning, saying as little as one shot can be fatal.
It warns symptoms appear similar to drinking too much but can be "stronger", leading to vision problems including blindness or death.
with AP
