Thousands of us travel through South East Asia every year and it can, at times, be risky. 

But the story out of Laos this week is devastating. Nineteen year old Melbourne woman Bianca Jones has died and her friend Holly Bowles is in intensive care after what appears to be methanol poisoning from drinks. 

Three other travellers have died and at least 10 people have fallen ill after drinking the alcohol.

Today, what we know about the mass poisoning, how methanol ends up in drinks and the damage it causes to the body. 

Featured: 

Lauren Day, ABC South East Asia correspondent