Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones dies in hospital after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos | Australia news

Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones has died in a Thai hospital, a week after a suspected methanol poisoning incident in neighboring Laos that affected her and her best friend.

Anthony Albanese confirmed the 19-year-old’s death on Thursday after her parents traveled to Thailand to be with her.

“Our first thoughts at this time are with her family and friends
mourning a terrible and cruel loss,” the prime minister told parliament.

The Jones family told the Herald Sun that she was “surrounded by love”.

“It is with the deepest of our hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away,” the statement said.

“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.

“We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love and prayers we have received from across Australia.

“The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time is truly humbling.”

Jones and her best friend, Holly Bowles, both aged 19, were staying at a hostel in Vang Vieng, north of the Laos capital Vientiane, while on a ‘dream getaway’ when they became seriously ill.

Bowles is still fighting for her life in a Thai hospital.

Federal MP Zoe Daniels, whose electorate of Goldstein includes Beaumaris, said Jones’ parents and brother were “in immeasurable pain”.

“I send my condolences and strength to Bianca’s family and to Holly’s parents Shaun and Samantha who remain at her bedside in Bangkok,” she said in a statement.

“Sending love and strength to the families of both these girls, along with people across the country who have been thinking of these two young Australian girls who simply went on their adventures in life together.”

On Thursday, a US State Department spokesperson also confirmed that an American had been killed in the city – just days after Danish authorities said two of its citizens had been killed in Laos.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and providing consular assistance,” the US State Department spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesperson did not link the death to methanol and said local authorities were “responsible for determining the cause of death.”

Although the Danish Foreign Ministry confirmed two deaths in Laos, it did not link them to methanol.

Earlier on Thursday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said her thoughts were with the families of Bowles and Jones.

“This is just heartbreaking to see you beautiful, young adults going on an exciting adventure,” Allan told reporters Thursday morning.

“That this exciting adventure ends in these terrible, tragic circumstances is truly heartbreaking for the families and, of course, for the many people in our community who love these two young women.”

Jones’ parents said Wednesday they hoped authorities would find out exactly what happened “as soon as possible.”

Jones’s mother is employed by News Corp’s Herald and Weekly Times. Penny Fowler, president of the HWT, told staff on Tuesday that the teenagers had fallen victim to “an apparent case of methanol poisoning”.

The location of the suspected poisoning has not been confirmed by authorities.

The pair had played Australian rules football together at Beaumaris Football Club, who on Wednesday extended their “love, best wishes and unconditional support to Holly and Bianca in their hour of need”.

Australia’s Smartraveller website is calling on tourists to be wary of methanol poisoning, saying just one shot can be fatal.

It warns that symptoms are similar to drinking too much but can be ‘stronger’, leading to vision problems including blindness or death.