A third Australian is recovering in hospital after suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos.
Melburnians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, and four other foreigners have died in recent weeks after falling ill in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town in Laos.
A third Australian also fell ill in the alleged poisoning incident.
They are reported to be in stable condition and receiving support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Local media reported that eight people were detained over the deaths of an American man and two Danish women in Van Vieng, but made no mention of the two Australians or a British woman who also died of suspected methanol poisoning.
The detained men were identified as hotel staff and management.
The Australian Federal Police has offered to assist in the Laos investigation, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament the government had made it clear to officials that it expects a thorough and transparent investigation.
Friends of the teenagers from Beaumaris, in Melbourne’s south-east, have decorated their suburb with blue and yellow ribbons in their memory.
The friends were on vacation in Laos when they arrived at Nana Backpacker Hostel and were unable to check out on November 13 after going to Jaidee Bar.
Jones and Bowles were evacuated to Thailand and died in separate Bangkok hospitals after their parents rushed to their beds.
Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones (pictured) has died after suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos.
Eight employees of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where Melbourne teenager Holly Bowles (above) died after drinking a tainted drink, were arrested on Monday.
Early tests indicated that there was methanol in the beer and spirits served at the Nana Backpacker Hostel (pictured).