American, Australian Tourists Die, Raising Toll to 4 in Laos Alcohol Poisoning Incident

Vientiane: An Australian teenager has died after drinking tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, Laos, Australia's prime minister said Thursday, and US State Department confirmed an American also died in same party town, bringing death toll to four in poisoning incident.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones h died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalised in Thailand.

Meantime, State Department confirmed to Associated Press that an American tourist h also died, but said it h no furr comment out of respect to families.

“This is every parent's very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” Albanese told lawmakers, ding "we also take this moment to say that we're thinking of Bianca's friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life." two Australian women fell ill on November 13 after a night out drinking with a group. y are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which sometimes used as alcohol in mixed drinks at disreputable bars and can cause severe poisoning or death.

New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said Thursday one of its citizens was also unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning. Denmark's Foreign Ministry, when asked about poisoning incident, said Wednesday that two of its citizens h died in Laos but would not provide furr details.

“We have updated our travel visory for Laos to note that re have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks,” New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said. “Travelers are vised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks me with spirits that may have been ulterated with harmful substances.”