Melbourne teen Bianca Jones has died in hospital after drinking poisoned alcohol while on the trip of a lifetime with her best friend in Laos.
The 19-year-old is the fourth person to die after drinks were mixed with methanol and served to guests at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in the popular party town of Vang Vieng.
Ms Jones had been on a gap year holiday with her best friend Holly Bowles – who remains fighting for life in hospital – when they both fell ill on November 12.
Earlier on Thursday, the US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen, a 56-year-old man, in Vang Vieng.
The Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed two young women from Denmark have also died.
A British woman is also reportedly among those affected by the suspected mass poisoning, and she is recovering in hospital. And the New Zealand government has confirmed a New Zealander is unwell and ‘may be a victim of methanol poisoning in Laos.’
Ms Jones’ devastated family confirmed her death in a statement.
‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away,’ they said.
‘She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.
Melbourne teen Bianca Jones (pictured) has died in hospital after drinking poisoned alcohol while on the trip of a lifetime with her best friend Holly Bowles in Laos
Holly Bowles (left) and Bianca Jones (right). Holly, 19, remains fighting for life in a Thai hospital
‘We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.
‘The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through our grief and begin to heal. Thank you for respecting our family’s space.
‘With heartfelt appreciation, Mark, Michelle and Lachlan Jones.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Ms Jones in parliament on Thursday.
‘We’ve received a very sad confirmation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that tragically, Bianca Jones has lost her life,’ he said.
‘Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. This is every parent’s very worse fear, and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.
‘All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak. Bianca’s trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come.
‘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.’
A man who helped Ms Jones and Ms Bowles told the Herald Sun they had been drinking at Jaidee’s bar on the beachfront in Vang Vieng (pictured)
Albanese also mentioned Ms Bowles, ‘who is fighting for her life there in Laos.’
‘Australians hold her and her family in our hearts as we pray for her, and we hope for a good recovery.’
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles, also aged 19, had booked in a four-night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel, where they had been drinking and playing cards at the bar on the night they were poisoned, before reportedly going to nearby Jaidee’s party bar.
Staff became concerned after they failed to check out on November 13 and arranged to take the pair to hospital after they ‘calmly’ asked for assistance.
CCTV from inside the hostel shows one the girls being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike being driven by a hotel staff worker.
They were then rushed to separate hospitals in Udon Thani and Bangkok in neighbouring Thailand.
Ms Jones’ family previously said they hoped police got to the bottom of the alleged alcohol poisoning.
‘Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia,’ they told the Herald Sun on Wednesday.
‘This is every parent’s nightmare and we want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through.
‘We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible.’
It comes after hostel manager Duong Duc Toan, who served the girls the Laotian vodka, has claimed it wasn’t him who made the girls sick.
Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and insisted it had not been tainted by himself or his staff.
He said the shots, a gesture of hospitality, were served to around 100 guests and that the hostel had not received any other complaints.
To prove his point, the bartender drank from one of the vodka bottles that were in use on the night to prove it was safe.
Local authorities are still investigating the alleged mass poisoning.
