The families of two Australian women who died in a suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos are aiming to raise $500,000 to save lives and boost awareness, as local media reports eight people have been detained over tourist deaths.
Melburnians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, and four other foreign nationals died in recent weeks after falling ill in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town in Laos.
A fundraiser in honour of the two Australians had raised $320,000 as of Tuesday evening, prompting their loved ones to expand their efforts to raise awareness of methanol poisoning.
The fundraiser's three goals are to relieve financial burdens for the families, support methanol poisoning education measures and funding awareness campaigns.
The grieving Jones and Bowles families are now seeking to raise $500,000.
"We are truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generosity you have shown in supporting our campaign in memory of Bianca and Holly," the Jones and Bowles families said in a statement released on their gofundme page on Tuesday.
"Your contributions, kind words, and willingness to share their story have inspired us beyond measure."
Local media has reported eight people were detained over the deaths of an American man and two Danish women in Van Vieng, but there was no mention of the two Australians or a British woman who also died of suspected methanol poisoning.
The men detained were identified as hotel staff and management.
Australian Federal Police has offered to help the Laos investigation, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese telling parliament the government had made it clear to officials they expect a through and transparent investigation.
Friends of the teens from Beaumaris, in Melbourne's southeast, have adorned their suburb with blue and yellow ribbons in their memory.
The friends were on holiday in Laos when they became and failed to check out at the Nana Backpacker Hostel on November 13 after going to the Jaidee Bar.
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were evacuated to Thailand and died in separate Bangkok hospitals after their parents raced to be by their bedsides.
Two young Danish women, a British lawyer and an American man in his 50s also died from the contaminated drinks.
A New Zealand citizen who was among those poisoned has left Laos and returned home, according to the country's embassy in Bangkok.
