epa11732729 An ambulance drives past a building of Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, 21 November 2024. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Parliament that two young Australian tourists died after drinking suspected tainted methanol alcohol in Laos’ Vang Vieng tourist city, while the Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade states confirmed to provide consular assistance for two Australians families in Thailand after the two tourists have been transported to Thailand for medical treatments. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
July 17 (UPI) — Laos authorities have charged the owner of a distillery whose methanol-laced alcohol killed six travelers, officials said Friday.
The mass poisoning claimed the lives of two Australian teenagers, two Danish women, a British woman and an American man in November 2024.
The tourists became ill and quickly died after consuming alcohol from a popular local bar in Van Vieng.
It was later discovered the drinks were tainted with methanol.
The Laos distillery owner was charged with selling food products harmful to health and operating an illegal business, according to the Danish authorities.
“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 to Australia’s ABC.
“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.”
But relatives of the victims, as well as government officials, have expressed frustration at the charges, which could see the distillery owner in jail for as few as three months.
“The Australian Government is deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed that authorities in Laos are not pursuing the most serious charges in relation to the methanol poisoning deaths of Australian citizens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones,” said Penny Wong, the Australian foreign minister, in a statement. “This devastating news will only add to the immense pain and grief suffered by the families and friends of Holly and Bianca.”
Mark Jones, father of victim Bianca, said feeling “furious would be an understatement.”
“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 ABC.
