In a shocking incident that took place at Laos, one of the best destinations for backpackers, two Australian teenagers recently died after consuming tainted alcohol. Holly Bowles, aged 19, succumbed to her illness after being in critical condition at a hospital in Bangkok on Friday. The news of her death came following the passing of her friend Bianca Jones, also aged 19.
Notably, there were a total of six foreign tourists who suffered from suspected methanol poisoning. Among them, Holly and Bianca were hospitalized in Bangkok. An unnamed US man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, were also among the victims believed to have died of suspected poisoning.
The family of Holly Bowles, 19 confirmed the tragic death of their daughter with broken hearts. Speaking to the Australian media, they noted, “We are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace.”
Earlier, her family further revealed that they were taking comfort from the fact she had brought so much “joy and happiness to so many people.” They shared that Holly had been living her best life. She had been traveling through Southeast Asia, meeting new friends and enjoying some of life’s incredible experiences, when she became ill.
Penny Wong, the Australian Foreign Minister, also expressed his grief over the tragic passing of Holly Bowles. “All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles. I offer my deepest sympathies to her family and friends.”
Investigations into the Matter
Additionally, Holly and Bianca were admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, after they failed to check out of their hostel in the small town of Vang Vieng in Laos. They were staying in the Nana backpacker hostel. The preliminary reports have revealed that the tourists consumed alcohol laced with methanol, which is a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol.
Meanwhile, it is not yet known whether any of those affected in the town were poisoned. It can take approx. 24 hours (a day) for victims to start showing the signs of illness.
As per the sources, the hostel offered free shots to around 100 guests the previous morning. The authorities have detained several people, including the manager and other staff from the Nana Backpacker Hostel.
But the manager of the hostel told the authorities that none of the other guests had fallen sick. The incident has highlighted the dangerous situation of backpacker destinations. It has also raised significant concerns about the safety of consuming alcohol in certain regions.
Methanol over Alcohol
According to the medical specialists, drinking 25 milliliters of methanol can be fatal. It is sometimes added to the drinks as it is cheaper than alcohol.
Christer Hogstand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology at King’s London, explained, “Methanol is like the alcohol in our drinks—colorless and odorless—but its impact on humans can be deadly.”.
“It has a different carbon atom structure, which completely changes how humans process it in the body, leading to these potentially fatal consequences,” he further added.
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
Comments