Toan said the Australian women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Laotian vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality.
The hostel said the women started drinking at the bar at 8pm and left about 10.30pm, going elsewhere for the rest of the night and returning in the early hours of the morning. He said no other guests reported any issue.
When this masthead visited the hostel on Tuesday afternoon, Toan produced a bottle of Tiger Vodka he said he served the women, pouring himself a drink and finishing it.
Nana Backpacker Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan pouring himself a drink from a bottle of Tiger Vodka and finishing it.Credit: Nine
The bottle says the vodka is 40 per cent alcohol and is distilled in the southern part of the country’s capital, Vientiane. Police on Wednesday took alcohol from the same stockpile.
The bar attached to the hostel remained open on Tuesday, although Toan said it was not giving out free shots. Guests were still able to book in for stays.
He said he hoped investigations would clear his name.
Local police said many details about what occurred to the two Australians remained unclear, and the matter was still under investigation.
The Jones family released a statement on Tuesday saying their daughter had been on a “dream getaway with her best friend Holly”.
“They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia,” the statement said. “We are here by Bianca’s bedside praying for her. Please respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
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Symptoms of methanol poisoning can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, blindness, blurred vision and seizures.
Various cases of methanol poisoning have been reported overseas in recent years, prompting Australian authorities to warn of the dangers of drinking local brews.
The Smartraveller website says home brews, cocktails and even brand-name alcohol can be contaminated.
“Alcohol production is less regulated in some destinations than in Australia. This can lead to methanol being used in the production process to lower costs. Methanol is highly toxic. As little as one shot can be fatal.”
With AP
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