A sixth tourist has died in what is being labeled as a suspected mass poisoning event after ingesting methanol believed to be in free alcohol given out in Laos.
Holly Bowles was rushed to Bangkok hospital alongside her best friend, Bianca Jones, British tourist Simone White, two young Danish women, and an 56 year-old American, after falling ill on a night out in the popular tourist destination of Vang Vieng.
The 19-year-old from Australia was put on life support before passing away shortly after Jones lost her life as well.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, said: "All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles. I offer my deepest sympathies to her family and friends."
Wong previously said about the loss of Jones: "Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are far too common in many parts of the world."
Speaking about the death of the American citizen in Laos, the U.S. State Department said: "We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss."
Bowles and the other deceased tourists died from drinking methanol, a potentially deadly form of alcohol. Per Newsweek, Thai authorities confirmed that Jones had died due to "brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system."
Unlike ethanol, which is safe to drink, methanol, which is commonly found in antifreeze and fuel, cannot be digested properly by the body and as little as 15 ML can result in death.
Sir Colin Berry, an emeritus professor of pathology at Queen Mary University of London, explained to Newsweek that the initial stages of methanol ingestion can feel like being drunk, people then start to experience pain, vomiting, and even hallucinations.
Berry said: "In later stages, generally developing between 18 and 48 hours after methanol ingestion, drowsiness may progress to coma."
Methanol is sometimes added to drinks to boost their alcohol content cheaply.
The Nana Backpacker Hostel where Bowles and Jones were staying is now under investigation for the free shots of vodka given to the women before they left for the night.
However, the hostel manager told the Associated Press that they gave shots to 100 people that night, and only Bowles and Jones fell ill.
This is not the first methanol poisoning in recent months. In June, 57 people died in India after ingesting methanol laced alcohol.
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