Holly Bowles is the sixth person to die from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos

A second Australian teenager has died from suspected methanol poisoning, bringing to six the number of foreign tourists who have died after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos.

The family of Holly Bowles, 19, said it was “with broken hearts” that they had confirmed her death, more than a week after she fell ill in the tourist town of Vang Vieng.

Her friend Bianca Jones, 19, and British lawyer Simone White, 28, from south-east London, were confirmed dead on Thursday.

An unnamed US man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also among the victims of the alleged poisoning, which is believed to be linked to bootleg alcohol.

In a statement released to the media on Friday, Holly's family said they were comforted by the fact that she had brought “joy and happiness to many people”.

They added that he was living “his best life traveling South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying amazing experiences” when he fell ill.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “All Australians will be saddened by the passing of Holly Bowles.” My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”

Holly and Bianca were rushed to hospital on Wednesday, November 13, after they failed to leave their hostel in the small riverside town of Vang Vieng, about two hours north of the capital Vientiane.

News reports and evidence suggest that visitors may have been drinking alcohol laced with methanol – a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol.

Even a small amount of methanol can be harmful, but it is sometimes added to drinks because it is cheaper than alcohol.

But, as Christer Hogstrand, professor of molecular ecotoxicology, at King's College London notes, it is also “rare in home-brewed alcohol”.

“Methanol is similar to alcohol in our drinks – it is colorless and odorless – but its effect on humans can be fatal,” he explained. fatal consequences.”

So far it is not known where the people who got sick or died were poisoned. It can take up to 24 hours for victims to start showing symptoms of illness.

The Nana Backpacker Hostel – where young Australians were staying – said it had handed out free photos to around 100 guests last night.

But the manager of the hostel told the Associated Press that no other guests were sick.

The manager of this hostel has been detained for questioning by the police.

Few details have emerged about any other victims and where they may have visited.

Simone White, who lived in Orpington, was said to have been traveling with a group of friends. Ms. White was an attorney at the global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, whose practice included general commercial, contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law matters, according to the firm's website.

“Simone was a talented colleague with a bright future ahead of her and someone who exemplified our strong values,” the company said in a statement.

“Our thoughts go out to all of Simone's family, friends, co-workers and customers who had the privilege of working with and knowing Simone. She will be truly missed.”

Australia is pressing the authorities to go public with their investigation into the incident.

New Zealand and Dutch officials have both said they are monitoring incidents affecting the country's people.

Vang Vieng is a center for trekking across Southeast Asia. It is home to the Banana Pancake Trail – a popular backpacking route that connects Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.