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The passing of Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos is “a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
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.
“Bianca’s trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come,” Albanese said.
“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.”
Jones’ family earlier confirmed her death in a statement to the Herald Sun, saying she was “surrounded by love” in her final moments.
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.
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 Nov. 11.
The two 19-year-olds did not leave their dorm room for 24 hours and reported feeling unwell on Nov. 13.
Both teens were later taken to separate hospitals in Bangkok and their families flew from Melbourne to be at their bedsides.
Jones’ federal member, Zoe Daniel, became emotional as she also paid tribute to the teenagers in parliament.
“To the families of these two young Aussie girls who just headed off on an adventure together,” the MP for Goldstein said.
“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.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said drink spiking and methanol poisoning were “far too common in many parts of the world.”
“At this time I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks, inform yourselves, please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy does not happen again,” she said.
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.
Jones is the fourth person to die in the apparent mass poisoning following the deaths of two Danish women and an American, the U.S. State Department confirmed.
British lawyer Simone White, 28, from Kent, was among a reported dozen taken to hospital, The Times reported.
Her friend Bethany Clarke urged tourists in the region to avoid local spirits after their group fell ill.
“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.
“Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.”
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for comment.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular assistance was being provided to the families of the two Australian girls.
– With AP
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