Laos police have detained eight staff and managers of the hostel where Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were staying when they fell ill. A third Australian is also recovering from suspected poisoning.

The bodies of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, two best friends who died of methanol poisoning in South-East Asia, have returned home to Australia.

The Laotian government has promised to bring perpetrators to justice after a mass poisoning that has killed six tourists including two Australians.