Australian teenager Bianca Jones has become the fourth tourist to die in a suspected poisoning incident in Laos.
The family of the child, 19, confirmed to the media about his death on Thursday. A few hours earlier, the US State Department told the media that an American man had died in the tourist town of Vang Vieng.
Two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, also died last week in Laos, authorities confirmed, while Jones’ friend Holly Bowles and a British woman were reported to be in critical condition in hospital.
The death is still under investigation by police, but news reports and testimony from other tourists suggest they may have drunk drinks laced with methanol, a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Department of Foreign Affairs had confirmed Ms Jones’ death.
“Our first thoughts at this moment are with his family and friends who are grieving a brutal death,” Albanese said during a parliamentary session on Thursday afternoon.
“This is every parent’s worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.”
He said he hoped Ms. Bowles would recover.
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