Laos government breaks silence on ‘mass methanol poisoning’ that left six dead, including two Aussies, and vows to bring the perpetrators to justice

The government in Laos has broken its silence on the suspected mass methanol poisoning that left six dead, including two Australian teenagers. Authorities claim they will bring those responsible to justice.

Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, died this month after a night out in the party town of Vang Viang.

Another four foreign tourists from Denmark, Britain and the US have also died.

Ms Jones and Ms Bowles, who were staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel, were rushed to several Thai hospitals after asking hostel staff for help on November 13.

Ms Jones died surrounded by loved ones at Udon Thani Hospital on Thursday and Ms Bowles died at nearby Bangkok Hospital on Friday.

Now the Lao government has spoken out for the first time, pledging to “bring the perpetrators to justice” in its first public comments on Saturday’s international incident.

Officials said they were “deeply saddened” and extended their “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims.

“The government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is deeply saddened by the loss of lives of foreign tourists in Vangvieng District, Vientiane Province, and extends its sincere condolences and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” the statement said.

Ms Jones was traveling with her best friend Holly Bowles (pictured) when the pair suffered methanol poisoning after drinking at Nana Backpackers Hostel and Jaidee Bar on November 13.

“The Lao PDR government has conducted investigations to determine the causes of the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law.

“The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic reaffirms that it always attaches importance and attention to the safety of both domestic and foreign tourists.”

The night before, both girls were seen drinking at Nana’s bar between 8pm and 10.30pm before heading to the nearby Jaidee Bar where they had some more drinks.

Hostel staff became concerned when the girls did not check out before both came out late in the day to seek medical attention.

In addition to the six deaths, fourteen tourists who had been drinking in the party city developed methanol poisoning within days of each other.

Following news of Ms Jones’ death, local police went to Nana Backpackers to question employees.

Police demanded to see what spirits were used by bar staff on the night Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were given free cocktails. The Herald Sun reported.

Laos police spoke to employees and inspected liquor bottles in the bar during their visit to the hostel.

The owners of the Nana Backpackers hostel have been arrested by the police. Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan (pictured) previously denied diluting his alcohol with methanol when questioned. he has now reportedly been detained by police for questioning, but no charges have been laid

Fourteen people fell ill after drinking in Laos and so far a 56-year-old American man, two women from Denmark and 38-year-old British lawyer Simone White (pictured) have also died

The hostel’s owner, Duong Duc Toan, is reportedly among a “number of people” detained by police for questioning, but no charges have yet been laid.

Other victims of the suspected mass poisoning include a 57-year-old American man James Louis Hutson, two young women from Denmark, Ms Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Ms Frela Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and 38-year-old British lawyer Simone White.

A “number of people” from the hostel where Ms. Jones and Ms. Bowles were staying have been arrested, but no charges have been filed, the Associated Press reports.

Earlier, hostel manager Duong Duc Toan and bartender Toan Van Vanng denied that the alcohol served at their bar was contaminated or diluted with methanol.

Toan said he purchased the alcohol from a certified distributor and free shots of Tiger Vodka were served to about 100 guests.

The manager said he had not yet received any complaints from other backpackers who had received injections that night.

To prove his point, he even drank from one of the vodka bottles in use that night to prove it was safe.

The girl’s WhatsApp messages showed that they went to Jaidee’s Bar later in the evening after leaving the hostel.

Jaidee’s Bar is known to offer customers free local whiskey shots and has a paper drug menu where opium, ketamine and marijuana are openly sold.

There is no evidence that Ms Bowles or Ms Jones used illegal drugs.

More than 100 people who knew the girls gathered for a vigil to celebrate their lives in Melbourne’s south on Saturday.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the federal government is supporting Laos in its investigation into how Ms Jones and Ms Bowles became ill.

‘[We will] Please continue to support the families of Holly and Bianca, just as we will continue our efforts with local authorities in the investigation into this tragedy,” Ms Wong said.