Two Melbourne teens on life support after suspected methanol ...
Two teenagers from Melbourne are on life support in South-East Asia suffering suspected methanol poisoning after a drink-spiking incident, 9News understands.
The women, who are believed to be aged in their late teens, have been travelling with a group of people in Laos.
They graduated from Mentone Girls Grammar and Beaumaris Secondary College in Melbourne's Bayside suburbs last year.
It's understood two other travellers have died and at least a dozen people have been hospitalised after drinking the tainted alcohol.
9News was told the Melbourne teens informed staff at the Nana Backpackers that they were feeling unwell.
"They come and tell my staff at the reception, the night shift, to bring them, go to hospital," the Nana Backpackers hostel manager told 9News.
The hostel manager said the police came to check the alcohol in the venue, which hosts happy hours every night with free vodka and whiskey.
"But it's very normal. Alcohol is every bar, every hostel, they buy the same," he said.
9News understands the girls had been to a number of bars while staying in Laos.
It's understood their parents flew to Bangkok, where they are in hospital, on Friday.
A local cafe where one of the women worked shut its doors yesterday as staff dealt with the situation.
Methanol is a clear liquid chemical used in thousands of everyday products, including plastics, paints, cosmetics, and fuels.
It's often deliberately and illegally added to alcoholic beverages as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, according to the Methanol Institute.
Forensic pathologist Professor David Ranson said it was a common feature in illegal spirits bought by travellers, particularly in the Asia-Pacific.
"Essentially, it creates formaldehyde, which is essentially the same chemical that's used to embalm bodies,' he told 9News.
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Drinking just 25-90ml of methanol can be fatal.
Travellers have begun to post on social media to warn others about the incident.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said they were "providing consular assistance" to two Australians and their families in Thailand.
"Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time," a spokesperson said.
"Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment."
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