Bianca Jones, one of the Melbourne teenagers who suffered suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday in Southeast Asia, has tragically passed away in Thailand.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed her death in the House of Representatives on Thursday afternoon, offering his deepest sympathies to her family and friends. "Our first thoughts at this moment are with her family and friends, who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss," he said. "This is every parent’s worst fear, and a nightmare no one should have to endure."
Jones, who was vacationing with her best friend, Holly Bowles, fell ill after consuming suspected methanol-laced spirits in the Laos party town of Vang Vieng. Bowles remains in critical condition in hospital. "Bianca’s trip should have been a joyous time," Albanese remarked. "It is beyond sad that this was not to be."
The poisoning has now claimed four lives, with at least 10 others seriously ill from drinking spirits believed to be tainted with methanol, a cheap and toxic alcohol. In addition to Jones, Denmark’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of two of its citizens, and the US State Department confirmed that an American man also lost his life in the incident.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her heartfelt sympathies to Jones' family, acknowledging that drink spiking remains a widespread issue in some regions. She urged parents and young Australians to discuss the risks of overseas travel in the wake of the tragedy.
Zoe Daniel, the MP for Goldstein in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs where Jones and Bowles were from, became emotional when speaking in Parliament. "Bianca and Holly went on a holiday to Southeast Asia, a rite of passage many young Australians experience," she said. "And if you look at their holiday photos, you would see the wonderful adventure these best friends were having."
Jones and Bowles were both active members of their local community. Jones attended Mentone Girls Grammar and worked at the Ginger Fox Cafe in Beaumaris, which expressed sadness over her passing. Bowles attended Beaumaris Secondary College and played Australian rules football for the Beaumaris Football Club.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also offered his condolences, calling the news of Jones' death "shocking" and expressing hope that the family could find some comfort in knowing that "every Australian’s heart is breaking for this tragic loss."