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News.com.au
a day ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Anger as hotel manager reportedly opens new Laos resort after methanol poisoning killed six tourists
The former manager of the notorious hostel at the centre of the deadly methanol poisonings in Laos is said to be opening up a new luxury resort just down the road. Australians Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, were among six tourists staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng last November who tragically died after drinking contaminated alcohol from the hostel bar. No charges have been laid against anyone in the six months since the incident. Just a day after the Herald Sun reported the former hostel manager known as 'Pikachu' had fled to Vietnam and claimed to have not gone back to Laos, Nine News reports Pikachu confirmed to the outlet he is involved in the new Sunrise Mountain View Resort, located just 450 metres away from the closed Nana Backpackers. The parents of Ms Bowles and Ms Jones told the broadcaster in a joint statement that they were 'angered at the recent news from Laos'. Pikachu has been proudly sharing photos and videos on Facebook of the new resort under construction for almost a year, which is promoted as having 'breathtaking views' and a rooftop bar to watch the sunset. In a post on May 24, Pikachu said there would be a month of finishes and 'then we will celebrate welcoming guests', according to an English translation. Sunrise Mountain View Resort has since denied any connection with Pikachu. 'I want to confirm with you that there is no 'Pikachu' in my resort!' an unnamed spokesperson told in an email on Sunday. 'I'm the owner. Telling me there's a 'Pikachu' in my place is not so respectful for me, please don't bother me or cause me any problems!' The Herald Sun had contacted Pikachu via WhatsApp on a number he gave when being interviewed after news broke of the poisonings in November. When asked about what happened to hostel staff who were initially detained, Pikachu said, 'I have not gone back to Laos, I don't want to talk. Maybe one day I go back to Laos but not for a long time. The hostel closed. I have no idea.' Melbourne best friends Ms Bowles and Ms Jones died after they consumed vodka and whiskey laced with methanol at the Nana Backpackers Hostel. In May, the Australian Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT) informed the families of Ms Bowles and Ms Jones, who are still desperately seeking answers, that charges have reportedly been recommended by local police against 13 people from Nana Backpackers and the Laos 'Tiger' distillery. The proposed charges include elimination of evidence, violation of food and health security and unlawful business operations. Mrs Bowles described the charges as 'appalling' and 'insulting', while Mrs Jones said she was 'furious'. 'We know that there's no murder or manslaughter charges, which we feel there should be,' Mrs Jones told 60 Minutes. The other tourists who died include British lawyer Simone White, 28, Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American James Louis Hutson, 57. Final moments before horror death in Laos Simone White's travel partner Bethany Clarke recalled the horrific experience of falling ill and witnessing her friend die to last month. Ms Clarke said they got to the hostel's bar just after 8pm on November 19 and consumed between five and six vodka shots served by the hostel, which they mixed with a bottle of Sprite and some ice cubes they also purchased from the bar. At the time, Ms Clarke and Ms White thought nothing of the drinks, but as the night moved on, and by the next morning — the pair started to feel an illness that to this day, Ms Clarke cannot quite explain. The pair woke the next morning to take part in a pre-booked kayaking tour and visit the famous Blue Lagoons which they'd both been looking forward to. 'We woke up and felt slightly off … one of our friends described it as feeling drunk,' she said. 'But … I feel like when you're drunk, you are happy. And this was a bit more … I don't know, just a sense that there wasn't something quite right and you couldn't put your finger on what it was. You would never feel as fatigued as we felt that day.' The pair pushed through, but within hours their condition got progressively worse — particularly for Ms White with a loss of appetite and an inability to swim. By the time the kayaking portion of the tour commenced, Ms Clarke knew this was more than a hangover or food poisoning. 'Simone and I were having to just lay down in the backs of the kayaks … we weren't able to actually use our arms,' she said. Venturing back to Vang Vieng, the pair collected their belongings before boarding a mini bus bound for their next stop, Vientiane. Ms Clarke said she fell asleep straight away at the back of the vehicle, only to be woken to shouts that Ms White was vomiting outside the bus. 'I fainted which I've never done before, so that should have been an alarm bell, but for some reason it wasn't … because of this cognitive decline,' Ms Clarke explained. 'Our [other] friend decided that we'd be taken to a hospital. So we ended up in a public hospital. They didn't have a clue what was wrong with us … they were coming up with food poisoning, but that was not the case.' Ms Clarke claims the hospital did not do the correct blood tests, instead insisting on a full blood count and electrolyte panels, which failed to show methanol poisoning. About 24 hours in, Ms White started to go into respiratory distress, and from there she entered a rapid decline. 'She started gasping for air,' Ms Clarke recalled. 'She then wasn't able to talk to me. She wasn't able to really look at me properly. She had her eyes open, but they were just glazed. 'She wasn't able to concentrate on me, and they [the hospital] were saying to me, she's really anxious. They just had absolutely no idea what to do with her … they gave her oxygen, but again, it was just not the right treatment. She needed to have dialysis at that point.' Ms Clarke made the decision to get Ms White out of the public hospital and into a private facility. As soon as they arrived — around 28 hours after consuming the drinks — Ms White was taken for immediate dialysis. Ms Clarke was forced to make decisions about the life of her best friend while not having full cognitive awareness herself. 'They [hospital] handed a load of forms to fill in … I was just having to wake up from being asleep and they'd say, 'Can you sign this and can you pay for this?'' she recalled. 'It was just horrendous … brain damage had occurred … she actually had five seizures during the process.' Ms Clarke was forced to make the call to Ms White's mother Sue to inform her they were in hospital with suspected methanol poisoning — a conversation she will never escape. Ms White's mother arrived from the UK to Laos just before her daughter went in for brain surgery. 'Sue literally got there as Simone was being wheeled in … obviously all her hair was shaved off. Then a few hours later we found out that although the brain surgery was sort of successful, she'd developed a bleed on that side of the brain as a result of the surgery,' Ms Clarke said. 'The other side of her brain was swollen as well. So at that point, they said that she's just going to end up in a coma regardless of what we do.' Ms Clarke and Mrs White were left with the excruciating wait of letting Ms White 'die naturally'. But because her heartbeat was still so strong, Mrs White had to speak with the British Embassy and plead to allow the turning off of her daughter's life support machine. 'They [the hospital] weren't happy initially with that idea because they're Buddhist and they want prolonged life, not to end it,' Ms Clarke said. 'But it was just a necessary thing that had to happen. Sue had to end Simone's life … And she had, I think, three attempts at trying to turn the machine off, but because she had no member of staff in there, it was just agonising and took a very long time.'
9 News
2 days ago
- 9 News
Families 'angered' as Laos hostel manager opens new resort months after six people died
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here EXCLUSIVE: The manager of the Laos backpackers hostel where six people, including Melbourne teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, died of methanol poisoning has opened a luxury resort. 9News spoke to the former manager of Nana Backpacker, known as Pikachu, who confirmed his connection to the 4-star hotel in the heart of Vang Vieng's party district. The manager of the Laos backpackers hostel where six people, including Melbourne teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones (pictured), died of methanol poisoning has opened a luxury resort. (9News) He said it will be opening in the coming months, but a quick search of online booking websites shows there are rooms available to stay in from tonight. The revelations are another blow for the Australian families and their search for justice. "As parents of Holly and Bianca we are angered at the recent news from Laos," the families said in a joint statement. "We are disappointed in the Australian government as we are again the last to know." Laos police are understood to have recommended charges against 13 people from Nana's Hostel and a distillery. It is now up to local prosecutors to decide whether they will proceed with the case. Referring to the investigation into the deaths Pikachu said: "It's very bad for the police in Laos checking everything." The Australian families of the victims say they are 'angered' by the news as they wait for justice (9News) The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said its officials "remain engaged with Laos authorities to reinforce our expectations for a transparent and thorough investigation". (9News) He maintains he and his staff at the backpackers did nothing wrong. He told 9News they have now been freed and "some are home... and nobody is working right now." In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said its officials "remain engaged with Laos authorities to reinforce our expectations for a transparent and thorough investigation". "The Australian Government will continue to do everything possible to assist Holly and Bianca's families, and to reduce the risks of a tragedy like this happening again," a DFAT spokesperson said. national Australia Victoria national Laos Poison CONTACT US Property News: You can only access this beach shack at low tide.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Workers from Laos bar where Aussie teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones died of methanol poisoning flee country to new jobs
Two workers employed at the Laos bar where two Australian travellers died of methanol poisoning have fled the country. They had been working at the Nana Backpackers Hostel when the 19-year-old Melbourne women, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, became two of six international victims that died after drinking the tainted alcohol in the establishment. The Herald Sun revealed on Friday that the two men, employed as a bartender and a hostel manager at the time of the incident in November last year, have found new jobs in Vietnam. After they fled the Laos tourist town of Vang Vieng, the outlet reports that the former hostel manager, known as Pikachu, was employed at a new hostel in his home country of Vietnam, and that the former bartender was now employed at a hotel there. The two men were among those detained after the incident. Hotel staff and management were among at least eight people taken into police custody. The Laotian government vowed to 'bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law'. But no charges have been filed, and officials in Laos have released almost no details in the mass poisoning case since November. Alongside the Melbourne teens, an American man, two Danish women and a British woman died of methanol poisoning at the hostel. Jones and Bowles had joined other guests for free shots of alcohol offered by the hostel before going out for the night, but after becoming ill, did not leave their room for 24 hours and failed to check out as scheduled. They were taken to a hospital in Laos before being transferred to Thailand, where they were treated in two separate Bangkok hospitals after their parents raced to be by their bedsides. Jones' father Mark, upon learning of the whereabouts of the bartender and hostel manager, told the Herald Sun: 'We want the Australian Government to apply as much pressure as they can to bring justice to all those involved in the methanol poisoning of our girls.' Methanol is a form of alcohol commonly used in cleaning and industrial products, but it is toxic for humans and drinking as little as 30ml can be lethal. Outbreaks of methanol poisoning occur when the chemical is added to alcoholic drinks, either inadvertently through traditional brewing methods or deliberately — usually in the pursuit of profit. Thousands of people suffer from methanol poisoning every year, with most cases reported in Asia from people drinking bootlegged liquor or homemade alcohol. Many Southeast Asian nations have low safety standards, patchy regulatory enforcement and high levels of police corruption. Stream free on
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Blow to families after staff who served methanol laced drinks that killed Brit lawyer & 5 other backpackers in Laos FLEE
STAFF members who served a Brit backpacker and five other tourists deadly drinks laced with poison in Laos have sparked outrage by fleeing the country. The cruel twist came after Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, and five others died after consuming methanol-spiked vodka shots at the party hotspot last year. 5 5 5 According to the Herald Sun, at least two employees who were "detained" following the horrific ordeal have now fled Laos to neighbouring Vietnam. Tragic Simone was among five other backpackers who also lost their lives after drinking the same fatal beverages. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 and from Australia, as well as two young women from Denmark, Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American man James Louis Hutson, 57, were also killed. All of them were staying at the hostel along with 100 more guests. After hearing that two of the suspects had fled Laos, Bianca's dad told the Herald Sun: "We want the Australian Government to apply as much pressure as they can to bring justice to all those involved in the methanol poisoning of our girls, the Danish girl and the British girl in Laos." The group died after they consumed vodka and whiskey laced with deadly methanol at the Nana Backpackers hostel in the town of Vang Vieng last November. Simone was among the victims after she was rushed to hospital in a near paralytic state before being placed on life support for three days. Her mum Sue took a hellish 16-hour journey from Kent to Laos after hearing of her daughter's grave condition. She said she feared Simone would die after being called by the hospital who told her she needed emergency brain surgery. After arriving at Laos hospital Sue was given the devastating ultimatum over whether to leave her daughter on life support or not. Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, dies in 'methanol-laced alcohol poisoning' that left 4 others dead in backpacking hotspot Doctors refused to switch off the machine due to their religion - but told Sue she could do it herself. The distraught mum said she had to take a tube out of her dying daughter's mouth before making the incredibly painful and "traumatic" decision to switch off the machine. Simone's official cause of death was confirmed as a bleed on the brain, an inquest heard. No charges have been made six months after the fatal ordeal, despite Laotian authorities reportedly preparing charges for up to 13 people. The 13 suspects have been accused of violating food and health security, unlawful business operations and the elimination of evidence, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. It comes just weeks after the families of Bianca and Holly, who died from suspected methanol poisoning, slammed cops over "appalling" charges. 5 5 The two teens tragically died just days after the shocking incident. Holly's mother told 60 Minutes: "[The charges are] pretty appalling, I'd say pretty insulting.' Bianca's furious mum added: 'I think we're pretty furious about it … Food and beverage. "You know, that's like? What is that? We don't even know." The parents also said they had written to Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone 'a million times'. The desperate parents claimed to have even contacted his wife, but still say they have not received a response. Why is methanol so deadly? By Sam Blanchard, Health Correspondent METHANOL is a super-toxic version of alcohol that may be present in drinks if added by crooks to make them stronger or if they are brewed or distilled badly. The consequences can be devastating because as little as a single shot of contaminated booze could be deadly, with just 4ml of methanol potentially enough to cause blindness. Prof Oliver Jones, a chemist at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, said: 'The body converts methanol to formic acid. 'Formic acid blocks the action of an enzyme that is critical to how the body uses oxygen to generate energy. 'If it stops working, cells cannot take up or use oxygen from the blood and lack of oxygen causes problems in a range of organs as the cells start to die. 'Symptoms of methanol poisoning include vomiting, seizures and dizziness. 'The optic nerve seems to be particularly vulnerable to methanol toxicity, so there is the potential for temporary or permanent blindness, and even death. 'While thankfully rare, methanol poisoning is very serious, and treatment should be given at a hospital.' An unexpected but key way of treating methanol poisoning is to get the patient drunk with normal alcohol - known as ethanol - to distract the liver and stop it processing the methanol.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Major update in case of lethal methanol poisoning that left two young Australian women dead
Two staff members at the backpackers hostel in Laos where six tourists died, including two Melbourne teenagers, have started working in hospitality in Vietnam. Best friends Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, were visiting the tourist town of Vang Vieng in November when they suffered suspected methanol poisoning. The Australians were among dozens of tourists who were staying at the Nana Backpackers Hostel when they became sick after drinking at the venue's bar. It was revealed on Friday by The Daily Telegraph that a bartender and the hostel manager who worked at Nana Backpackers Hostel during the alleged poisoning have found jobs in Vietnam. The manager, who calls himself Pikachu, has been employed at a new hostel. 'I don't know, I go home to Vietnam. I have not gone back to Laos, I don't want to talk,' he said. Asked about staff at the hostel who were detained by police, he said: 'I have not gone back to Laos, I don't want to talk.' 'Maybe one day I go back to Laos but not for a long time. The hostel closed. I have no idea,' he said. Bianca and Holly were among six tourists who died due to the suspected poisoning at the hostel which has remained closed since the investigation was launched last year A profile photo on WhatsApp of the hostel's former bartender, Duang Doc Toan, showed he was working at the Azalea Hotel. Toan, who served Holly and Bianca Laotian vodka, claimed in November last year that it wasn't his Tiger Vodka that made the girls sick. He said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and insisted it had not been tainted by himself or his staff. To prove his point, the bartender drank from one of the vodka bottles that were in use on the night to prove it was safe. Ms Jones' father Mark said more needed to be done to address the deaths. 'We want the Australian Government to apply as much pressure as they can to bring justice to all those involved in the methanol poisoning of our girls, the Danish girl and the British girl in Laos,' he said. Eight men aged between 23 and 47 were taken into custody following arrests by police on November 25 as part of an investigation into the suspected poisonings. Among those arrested by Vang Vieng police were general staff and managers. There was no suggestion at the time that those detained were responsible for the tourists' deaths and no charges have been laid. A further five people, who were linked to the Tiger distillery, including the manufacturer of the drinks served, were also taken in for questioning. In February, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told federal parliament that authorities in Laos declined the offer of assistance from Australian Federal Police in its investigation of the incident. He vowed that Australian authorities wouldn't drop the matter. 'I would want to assure the families of Bianca and Holly that we remain in contact with the Laos authorities and that the offer of assistance is being consistently offered,' he said. The teens' families said in a joint statement they were 'extremely disappointed' by the lack of updates. 'As the Laos government rejects any support from the AFP our confidence in accountability and justice for everyone affected remains unanswered,' it said. Nana Backpackers Hostel remains closed as the investigation continues.
