Disturbing Google reviews surface about Laos hostel where two young Aussie women were killed by methanol poisoning: Do not go here
Terrified travellers attempted to warn others about suspected methanol being served in drinks at a hostel now being investigated by police following the death of six people.
Terrified travellers attempted to warn others about suspected methanol being served in drinks at a hostel now being investigated by police following the death of six people.
Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 and from Melbournes Bayside, and four other foreign tourists died after falling ill in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town in Laos, two weeks ago.
They had all been staying at Nana Backpackers Hotel, where eight staff members have now been arrested by police.
It has since emerged that travellers tried to warn others in now-deleted Google reviews, the ABC revealed.
One traveller wrote: Do not go here!! They have methanol in their drinks and me and 3 others have been hospitalised because of this.
Another claimed they stayed there for five days and were left ill by the alcohol.
Myself and friends were sick from consuming the free vodka here, they wrote.
People we know were taken to hospital, some even in intensive care with serious problems.
Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones (pictured) died after a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos
Eight staff from the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where Melbourne teenager Holly Bowles (above) died after drinking an allegedly contaminated beverage, were arrested on Monday
Pictured:now-deleted Google reviews warning other travellers about the hostel
The ones in hospital have all had traces of methanol in their bloodstream which is incredibly dangerous.
Another reviewer said they had heard several stories of people who ended up in the ICU or even died after consuming drinks served in the hostel bar.
In response, Nane Backpacker Hostel branded the claims slander.
Our hostel has been operating for five years, and during this time, we have always prioritised the safety and well-being of our guests. We take any claims like this very seriously, an account for the hostel replied.
The reviews were subsequently deleted from Google.
Daily Mail Australia contacted the search engine giant for comment.
Despite the closure of the hostel and eight staff members having been arrested, no charges have been laid.
It comes as an Australian traveller revealed the hostel was still serving shots to guests even after three guests had died.
Early testing indicated methanol was allegedly present in beer and spirits served at the Nana Backpackers Hostel (pictured). Eight staff members have since been arrested
Harry Ough, 19, said he had no idea of the suspected mass poisoning when he checked in on the 15 November.
US citizen James Louis Hutson, 56, had been found dead on the floor of his hostel room on November 13, the same day two Danish women and Ms Bowles and Ms Jones were hospitalised.
We drank lots of shots. Everyone did. I guess we drank a lot that first night and then throughout the night there were some rumours that said some girls got spiked or something, Mr Ough told the ABC.
The Aussie backpacker claimed that the following morning there was a heavy police presence but the hostel staff appeared unperturbed, with one of them lighting up a joint.
Unbelievably, the hostel was offering free shots that evening.
They had the free shots again, and no one was touching any of the liquor on the second night, Mr Ough added.
So I think at that point, everyone sort of knew somethings happening here and we didnt party very hard on the second night because there was all these police around and we werent sure.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed how a friend of the two Danish victims Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, had warned them to be careful before they died.
The first thing I told them was that it is beautiful but to be very careful about everything in Vang Vieng because drugs were everywhere there, the friend said.
We stayed in touch until the last day, they told me they were enjoying themselves and they were really enjoying it.
The two girls fathers Shaun Bowles (left) and Mark Jones (right) at Melbourne airport after bringing the bodies of their daughters home
Chilling warning a new friend gave two Danish women before holidaying in Laos - as tourist opens up on the grim fallout
It emerged on Wednesday that a third unidentified Australian is recovering in hospital after drinking suspected methanol.
They are reported to be in stable condition and are receiving support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Australian Federal Police has offered to help the Laos investigation, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese telling parliament the government had made it clear to officials they expect a thorough and transparent investigation.
The bodies of best friends Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were flown home to Melbourne on Tuesday night.
Friends of the pair, who were from Beaumaris in Melbournes southeast, have adorned their suburb with blue and yellow ribbons, the colour of the teenagers football team.
The pair were on holiday in Laos when they became ill and failed to check out of Nana Backpackers Hostel on November 13 after a night at nearby Jaidee Bar.
They were evacuated to Thailand and died in separate Bangkok hospitals after their parents raced to be by their bedsides.
The bodies of best friends Ms Jones and Ms Bowles (pictured together) were flown home to Melbourne on Tuesday night
DFAT said in a statement that Australian representatives were assisting local authorities and it had provided consular assistance to the families of the two teenagers.
Australian officials in Laos and Thailand are working closely with local authorities. Investigations are underway and we are offering any assistance we can provide.
After her body landed in Melbourne, Ms Jones father Mark said his family would try to put their lives back together after the tragedy.
We want to grieve, we miss our daughters desperately, he told reporters at Tullamarine airport.
However, he said more needed to be done to ensure those responsible for the suspected contamination of beer and spirits were held to account.
I was happy to hear that theres been some movement over in Laos, I will continue to urge our government to pursue whoever was responsible, Mr Jones said.
We cannot have our girls passing and this continuing to happen.
A fundraiser for the families had raised $330,000 as of Wednesday morning, prompting loved ones to expand their efforts to raise awareness of methanol poisoning.
Its three goals are to relieve financial burdens for the families, support methanol poisoning education measures and fund awareness campaigns.
The grieving families are now seeking to raise $500,000.
Your contributions, kind words, and willingness to share their story have inspired us beyond measure, the Jones and Bowles families said in a statement released on their GoFundMe page on Tuesday.
Every dollar raised will go towards making a lasting impact and ensuring that their story saves lives. Were so grateful for your support and hope youll continue to stand with us as we work towards this larger goal.
