The grieving families of two Australian teenagers, victims of a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos, have expressed relief over news that eight individuals are now in custody as part of the ongoing police investigation.

Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both aged 19, were among six international tourists who tragically lost their lives after allegedly consuming alcohol contaminated with methanol, a toxic substance often found in illicitly produced spirits.

On Tuesday evening, the remains of the two Australians were returned to Melbourne, accompanied by their mourning relatives.

“We are devastated by the loss of our daughters. Hearing about progress in Laos offers some solace, but this cannot continue to happen,” said Mark Jones, Bianca’s father, while speaking to reporters.

According to local media reports, those detained include staff members from the Nana Backpackers hostel, where all six victims had been staying. The establishment, which has since closed, had denied serving any unlicensed or unsafe alcohol.

Speaking at Melbourne Airport, Mr Jones urged Laotian authorities to persist in their investigation and emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning.

The other victims have been identified as Simone White, a 28-year-old British lawyer; James Louis Hutson, a 57-year-old American; and two Danish tourists, Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21.

Mr Hutson was discovered dead in his room at the hostel on 13 November, with empty glasses nearby. On the same morning, Ms Orkild Coyman and Ms Vennervald Sorensen were found unconscious in their rooms and rushed to a local hospital.

While investigations continue, it remains unclear how many others may have been affected by the suspected poisoning. Last week, police questioned several individuals, including the hostel’s manager, who had earlier claimed that only Ms Jones and Ms Bowles had fallen ill after consuming complimentary shots at the venue before heading out.

Methanol, a colourless chemical often used in industrial products such as paint thinners, is sometimes added to bootleg alcohol. Consuming as little as 25ml—half a shot—can be fatal, with symptoms such as abdominal pain and vomiting typically appearing within 24 hours.

Why is methanol poisoning so dangerous?
Methanol poisoning is a persistent issue across South East Asia, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions along the Mekong River. The broader area has the highest global prevalence of such incidents.

This recent tragedy has drawn attention to Vang Vieng, a popular party destination, and has prompted renewed international warnings about the risks of consuming spirits in Laos.