Third Australian ill as eight arrested over Laos methanol poisoning that has so far claimed six lives

A third Australian is reported to be ill following the suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos, which has so far led to six deaths and eight arrests.

Melbourne tourists Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, died in hospital last week after earlier deaths of British lawyer Simone White, American James Louis Hutson, 57, and Danish women Anne-Sophie Orkild Koiman, 20, and Freya Vennerwald Sørensen, 21.

Guardian Australia reports that a third Australian, who is also a dual citizen, has fallen ill as part of the suspected poisoning incident. They are in a stable condition and are understood to be receiving assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

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7NEWS.com.au has approached DFAT for comment.

It was confirmed overnight that the bodies of Jones and Bowles had been flown back to Australia.

After the mass poisoning, The ABC reports that eight staff from a backpacker hostel are helping police with their investigation.

The group was identified as hotel staff and management and ranged in age from 23 to 47 years old.

Speaking on behalf of the two families at Melbourne Airport on Tuesday night, Bianca’s father Mark Jones thanked the community for its support in Australia and overseas during what has been a “terrible time for us”.

“We want to grieve … we miss our daughters desperately,” he said.

“I was glad to hear that there is some movement in Laos.

“We will make every effort possible to help raise awareness about methanol poisoning.

“We can’t let our girls go through and let this keep happening.”