“Young men and women should be able to travel, create their own life experiences and be safe. We’ll forever miss our beautiful girl and hope her loss of life has not been in vain.”
Six people have now died in the suspected poisoning incident. At least 10 others are seriously ill after drinking spirits believed to have been laced with methanol, a cheap and deadly form of alcohol mostly found in crude or criminal brews.
Tourists at Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng last Tuesday.Credit: AP
The government of Laos publicly acknowledged the tragedy for the first time on Saturday, saying it was “profoundly saddened”.
“The government of the Lao PDR has been conducting investigations to find the causes of the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law,” it said. “The [government] reaffirms that it always attaches the importance [sic] and pays attention to the safety of both domestic and foreign tourists.”
On Sunday, Beaumaris Cricket Club released a statement, extending its deepest condolences and unwavering support to the local football club and the families of Bowles and Jones.
“Holly and Bianca’s tragic passing has left an indelible void in our community. Our hearts go out to the Bowles and Jones families, as well as the many friends, teammates, and supporters who have been touched by the lives of these two incredible young women,” they wrote.
Ribbons in the women’s sporting club’s colours left as a tribute in Beaumaris.Credit: Luis Ascui
“The Beaumaris community is built on the values of care, compassion, and solidarity. In the wake of this tragedy, we stand united with the Football Club and the wider Beaumaris community, offering our love and support in every way possible. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Bowles and Jones families. Vale Holly and Bianca.”
In a statement also released on Sunday, Beaumaris Football Club, where the girls’ played, said the events of the past week had taken a huge toll on its club.
“We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to Sam and Shaun Bowles and Michelle and Mark Jones and their family as they prepare to bring their beloved daughters, Holly and Bianca home,” they wrote.
“The Beaumaris Football Club extends its love and support to both the Mentone Girls’ Grammar and Beaumaris Secondary College communities as they too navigate Holly and Bianca’s passing.
Tributes for Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones at Beaumaris Football Club on Saturday.Credit: Luis Ascui
“Holly and Bianca were loved and respected leaders of both school communities and we know all students, past and present, will be feeling their loss immeasurably.”
Further details have emerged from the suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, with an American man and two Danish women believed to be the first three deaths.
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A Laos government document revealed that the American victim was found dead in his hostel room next to two empty bottles of vodka, while the two Danish victims were discovered unconscious on their bathroom floor.
The police document, seen by this masthead, named the American as James Louis Hutson, 57, and the Danish women as Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, although the trio could not be independently identified. British woman Simone White, 28, is also among the dead.
On Friday, police ordered the closure of Nana Backpacker Hostel, the Laos hostel where the Australians and other travellers were staying when they were rushed to hospital.
This masthead has been unable to verify reports from locals that all the dead victims were guests at Nana, which had been serving free shots of alcohol just before they became sick.