A tearful Nat Barr has expressed her heartfelt wish for justice following a report of the two Australian women killed in a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos.
Melburnians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, and four other foreigners died in recent weeks after falling ill in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town in Laos.
Bianca and Holly’s bodies landed at Melbourne airport on Tuesday, with their parents on the same flight.
“We want to grieve, we miss our daughters desperately,” father Mark Jones said, speaking to the media upon arrival.
Watching the fathers speak brought tears to Barr’s eyes during her Sunrise show, where she praised their courage in facing the media.
“It’s just great to see those two dads doing that and having to face the media, isn’t it?” the Sunrise host said Wednesday morning.
‘Our thoughts go out to all those families and friends affected. Let’s hope justice is served here.’
A fundraiser in honor of the two Australians had raised $320,000 as of Tuesday evening, prompting their loved ones to expand efforts to raise awareness of methanol poisoning.
Nat Barr got teary-eyed as she praised the bravery of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles’ parents
Mark Jones (right) said he ‘wants to grieve’, pictured next to Shaun Bowles (left)
The three objectives of the fundraiser are to alleviate the financial burden on families, support educational measures on methanol poisoning and finance awareness campaigns.
The grieving Jones and Bowles families are now trying to raise $500,000.
“We are truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generosity you have shown in supporting our campaign in memory of Bianca and Holly,” the Jones and Bowles families said in a statement on their gofundme page on Tuesday.
“Your contributions, kind words and willingness to share their story have inspired us immensely.”
Local media reported that eight people had been arrested over the deaths of an American man and two Danish women in Van Vieng, but there was no mention of the two Australians or a British woman who also died from suspected methanol poisoning.
The arrested men were identified as hotel staff and management.
The Australian Federal Police has offered to assist with the investigation in Laos, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese telling Parliament the government had made it clear to officials they expect a thorough and transparent investigation.
Friends of the teenagers from Beaumaris, in Melbourne’s south-east, have decorated their suburb with blue and yellow ribbons in their memory.
Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones (pictured) died after suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos
Eight employees of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where Melbourne teenager Holly Bowles (above) died after drinking an allegedly contaminated drink, were arrested on Monday
Early tests indicated methanol may be present in beer and spirits served at the Nana Backpackers Hostel (pictured)
The friends were on holiday in Laos when they fell ill and were unable to check out of Nana Backpacker Hostel on November 13 after going to Jaidee Bar.
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were evacuated to Thailand and died in separate hospitals in Bangkok after their parents rushed to their bedside.
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.
Another 14 tourists who had been drinking in the area developed methanol poisoning within days of each other.
It has since been revealed that a third Australian also fell ill during the suspected poisoning incident and is recovering in hospital.
Their condition is reportedly stable and they are receiving support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
A New Zealander who was among those poisoned has also reportedly left Laos and returned home, according to the country’s embassy in Bangkok.