Fourth Tourist Dies in Laos from Suspected Methanol Poisoning

Bianca Jones, an Australian teenager, has become the fourth tourist to die in a suspected mass poisoning in Laos.

The 19-year-old's family announced her death to the public on Thursday. The US State Department had earlier informed the media that an American man had died in Vang Vieng, a tourist destination.

Authorities revealed that two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, died last week in Laos, while Jones' friend Holly Bowles and a British lady are apparently on life support in a hospital.

The fatalities are still being investigated by authorities, but press reports and statements from fellow visitors suggest they may have ingested cocktails spiked with methanol, a toxic chemical commonly found in counterfeit booze.

According to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Department of Foreign Affairs verified Ms Jones' death.

"Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss," Albanese said on Thursday afternoon.

"This is every parent's very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure."

He expressed his hope that Ms Bowles, who is currently at Bangkok Hospital, would recover well.

The US State Department stated that it was "closely monitoring" the situation involving the American victim, adding that the cause of death would be determined by local authorities.

Australian and British authorities have both urged their citizens to be cautious about methanol poisoning when drinking alcohol in Laos.

Nana Backpacker Hostel, where the two Australian women slept in Vang Vieng, informed the BBC that it was shuttered for police inquiry.

The hostel's manager told the Associated Press that the two women were among over 100 guests who received complimentary shots of Lao vodka. He stated the duo then went out for the night, and no other guests reported any health difficulties.

The management expressed hope that the investigation would vindicate the hostel's name, but stated they had ceased distributing free shots for the time being.

In a letter to Australian newspaper the Herald Sun, Ms Jones' family expressed their "deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we've received from across Australia".

"We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through our grief and begin to heal," according to a statement.

Unlike ethanol, the primary component of alcoholic beverages, methanol is hazardous to humans. However, bootleg liquor producers would occasionally add it to their drinks as a cheap way to raise the alcohol concentration.

Earlier this year, at least 57 individuals in India died from drinking methanol-laced wine. Similar occurrences of mass poisoning have been recorded around the world, including the Philippines and Peru.

Vang Vieng is a small riverfront hamlet in central Laos that serves as a center for travelers throughout Southeast Asia.