Several backpackers have become seriously ill following a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Vang Vieng, Laos. Among the affected is a young Australian woman, who is currently on "life support" in a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, according to her father.

Four foreign tourists have died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, officials announced on Thursday.

The victims include an Australian woman, two Danish citizens, and a U.S. citizen.

A group of approximately a dozen tourists became ill following a night out on November 12 in the town of Vang Vieng, located about 130 kilometers (81 miles) north of the capital, Vientiane. Vang Vieng is a well-known destination for backpackers traveling through Southeast Asia.

One of the Australian tourists, Biana Jones, was taken to a hospital in Thailand, where she was confirmed dead. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the incident in Parliament on Thursday, stating, "Tragically, Biana Jones has lost her life. Our first thoughts at this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss."

Another Australian tourist remains in critical condition. According to her father, speaking to Australia's Channel Nine broadcaster, she is on "life support" in a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

In response to the incident, Laos police detained the Vietnamese manager of the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, where the two Australian tourists had been staying, as reported by AFP news agency.

On Thursday, Denmark's Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of two Danish citizens in Laos, though no additional details were provided. Similarly, the U.S. State Department confirmed the death of one U.S. citizen without elaborating further.

Additionally, New Zealand's embassy in Thailand reported being contacted by a citizen who had fallen ill and may be among the victims of the mass methanol poisoning in Laos.

Methanol, a toxic substance often added to bootleg alcohol to enhance its potency, poses severe health risks. It can impair vision, digestion, and brain function, and in severe cases, lead to death.

Incidents of methanol poisoning are tragically common, with hundreds of fatalities reported annually from the consumption of tainted liquor. For example, in June of this year, at least 34 people died, and dozens more were hospitalized in Tamil Nadu, India, after consuming methanol-laced illicit alcohol.