Eight people detained over Laos methanol poisoning
Eight men have been detained over the suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos that killed six tourists, including two Australians.
Police in Laos told the ABC that detained men were staff and management of the Nana Backpackers hostel, where Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were staying when they fell sick.
The two 19 year olds had consumed the alcoholic beverages in the party town of Vang Vieng, and later died in seperate hospitals in Thailand.
Four other tourists from Denmark, the UK and the US have also died.
Police in Laos last week forcibly shut down the Nana hostel, where five of the six victims who died were staying.
They questioned staff, ranging in ages from 23 to 47, including the bartender and owner, while the Laos government vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The arrests come as the bodies of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles arrived home in Australia on Tuesday night, with Bianca's father Mark fronting the media at Melbourne Airport to welcome the news of the arrests.
"We want to grieve. We miss our daughters desperately. I was happy to hear there's been some movement over in Laos," he said.
"I would continue to urge our government to continue to pursue whomever. We will make every effort we can to help raise awareness of methanol poisoning."
Image credits: RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock