Bianca Jones and a friend became critically ill after consuming drinks suspected to have been tainted by methanol at a bar in Vang Vieng.
Photo: Facebook
Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones has died in hospital in Thailand after drinking tainted alcohol during a backpacking holiday in Laos.
Her death was confirmed by police in Thailand.
Jones and her friend Holly Bowles became critically ill after consuming drinks suspected to have been tainted by methanol at a bar in Vang Vieng in Laos last Tuesday.
Bowles was taken to a separate hospital in Bangkok.
In a statement published by the Herald Sun newspaper, Jones’s family said their “beloved daughter and sister” had passed away.
“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,” the family said.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.”
The families of Jones and Bowles flew to Thailand and have spent the past few days by their bedsides.
An American and two Danish tourists have also died in the suspected mass poisoning, which left up to 14 people violently ill.
Vang Vieng is a small town north of the Laotian capital Vientiane, which is a popular tourist destination for backpackers.
Jones’s family has been at her bedside at a hospital in Udon Thani, in Thailand’s north near the border with Laos.
In a statement released earlier this week, the family said she and Bowles had been on a “dream getaway”.
“They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them,” the family said.
Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel, the local member for the area both Jones and Bowles are from, said she was sending her love to both families.
“They are suffering pain that no-one should have to experience,” she said.
“To the families of these two young Aussie girls who just headed off on an adventure together, I know that so many members of our community are connected to these girls, to these families.
“I feel your grief. Our hearts are broken.”
She said that Holly’s parents remain by her bedside in Bangkok.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paused Question Time to inform the parliament that the Department of Foreign Affairs had confirmed Jones’s death.
“Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss,” he said.
“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.”
He expressed hope that Holly Bowles would recover well.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong also offered her sympathies to the Jones family.
“Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are far too common in too many parts of the world, so at this time I would say to parents of young people, please have a conversation about risks, please inform yourselves, please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy doesn’t happen again,” she said.
– ABC