Lao authorities charge distillery owners over fatal methanol poisoning

Danish officials say Lao authorities have charged the owner of a distillery after a mass methanol poisoning incident which killed two young Australian women.

Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, both 19, died after the incident at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng in November 2024.

Four other tourists were killed, including two Danish women, after consuming tainted drinks.

Lao officials held a press conference on Friday afternoon in the Laos capital Vientiane, but international media outlets were denied entry.

In a statement, Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Lao officials announced at the conference that charges had been filed against the distillery owner.

The charges include the sale of food products harmful to health and operating an illegal business.

"The charges carry a penalty ranging from three months to four years' imprisonment, as well as a fine," Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"The case will formally remain open for 15 years, meaning that more serious charges carrying higher penalties such as negligent manslaughter may still be brought if sufficient evidence can be established."

Lao officials had previously told Australian government officials that prosecutors did not believe they had enough evidence to link the 'Tiger alcohol' consumed and the deaths of Ms Jones and Ms Morton-Bowles.

DFAT has been contacted for comment.

Parents 'furious' over lack of justice

Bianca's father, Mark Jones, told the ABC earlier that "[feeling] furious would be an understatement" over the charges.

"I don't have words for the disgust that I have with what the Laos authorities are suggesting is meant to be justice for the deaths of six tourists," he told the ABC.

"I'm calling on the Australian government to do all they can to intervene."

While Bianca's mother, Michelle Jones, said the charges showed "their lives didn't even matter".

"We're just really appalled by it all. They were just going over to have a bit of fun and doing the rite of passage that every child or teenager does," she said on ABC News Breakfast.

Victims' families call for travel warnings

At a press conference on Friday, before charges were announced, Holly Morton-Bowles' father, Shaun Bowles, said he was "astonished" at the value Laos had put on the lives of tourists.

He said the outcome should deter others from travelling to the country.

"[It shows] the value that they put on life over there, the fact that they're clearly hiding something with their so-called investigation … they don't want to be direct and up-front with us," he said.

"It's mind-boggling because it's a popular tourist destination for a lot of travellers, a lot of young Australian travellers and young people around the world.

"I think a lot of people will think twice about going to Laos, and as they should."

Both families said they wanted better travel warnings for those heading to south-east Asia.

On Friday the Australian government called in Laos's ambassador in Canberra over the matter.

"Since their deaths, Australia has advocated for a thorough and transparent investigation that takes into account all available evidence and for those responsible to be held to account," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.

"The Prime Minister and I have asked Mr (Pablo) Kang to travel to Laos today to convey the Australian Government's objections and reinforce our expectations for an investigation that delivers justice for Holly, Bianca, and the other victims of the methanol poisoning."

Denmark 'deeply disappointed' and considering next steps

Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the matter had affected him "deeply" and he wanted to ensure "those responsible are brought to justice".

"I am therefore also deeply disappointed that the charges do not reflect the seriousness and scale of the tragedy that has affected so many families," he said in a statement.

"It is difficult to reconcile ourselves with such lenient charges.

"We will now discuss the next steps in the case together with the bereaved families and the other affected countries."