VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) – An Australian teenager died after drinking tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, Laos, in what Australia’s prime minister called every parent’s nightmare Thursday, and the U.S. State Department confirmed that an American had also died. him in the same party town, bringing the death toll to four.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her 19-year-old friend remains hospitalized in Thailand.

“This is every parent’s worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” Albanese said. “We also take this moment to say that our thoughts are with Bianca’s friend Holly Bowles, who is fighting for her life.”

In a statement to the Melbourne Herald Sun, Jones’ family asked for privacy in their grief.

“She was surrounded by love and we are comforted to know that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us,” the family wrote.

“We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love and prayers we have received from across Australia.”

The State Department confirmed to The Associated Press in an emailed statement that an American tourist also died, but said it had no further comment out of respect for the family.

He said local authorities were investigating and the US was providing consular assistance.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the family for their loss,” the State Department said.

Phone numbers listed for the Lao Ministry of Health did not work, and police declined to comment.

Landlocked Laos is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is especially popular with tourists looking for parties and adventure sports.

Details of the alcohol poisoning began to emerge about a week after the two Australian women fell ill on November 13 after a night out drinking with a group in the remote town.

They are believed to have consumed drinks contaminated with methanol, which is sometimes used as alcohol in mixed drinks at dodgy bars and can cause serious poisoning or death.

Thai authorities confirmed that Jones died of “swelling of the brain due to high levels of methanol found in her system”.

“Drinking and methanol poisoning are far too common in many parts of the world,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said after hearing of Jones’ death.

“Right now, I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about the risks, please be informed, please work together to make sure this tragedy doesn’t happen again.”

New Zealand’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that one of its citizens is unwell in Laos and may be a victim of methanol poisoning. Denmark’s foreign ministry, when asked about the poisoning incident, said on Wednesday that two of its citizens had died in Laos, but gave no further details.

“We have updated our travel advisory for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning following the consumption of alcoholic beverages,” New Zealand’s Foreign Office said.

“Travellers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, especially cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances.”

The US did not immediately issue an updated travel advisory.

On Tuesday, Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker hostel where the two Australian women stayed in Vang Vieng, told the AP that other guests told staff the two women were not feeling well after they failed to go out as planned in November. 13 and arranged their transport to the hospital.

The women were then flown to Thailand for emergency medical treatment and their parents flew to be with them.

“All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy at this time of grief,” Albanese said.

“Bianca’s trip should have been a happy time and a source of fond memories for years to come,” he said. “It’s more than sad that it wasn’t.”

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Reported pickup from Bangkok. Jutarat Skulpichetrat in Bangkok, Rod McGuirk in Melbourne, Australia and Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand contributed to this story.

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