Australia Updates Travel Advice for Laos After Methanol Poisoning

The Australian government has increased its travel alert level for Laos, advising travellers to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ due to the risk of methanol poisoning. This update comes after a mass methanol poisoning incident killed six foreign nationals, including Australian backpackers Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles.

A distillery owner in Laos has been charged in connection with the incident, which occurred at the Nana Backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng. The charges include selling food that is harmful to health and operating an illegal business, carrying a prison sentence of between three months and four years and a fine if found guilty. The court has also stated that the case will formally remain open for 15 years, allowing for more serious charges to be brought if sufficient proof is found.

The families of the Australian women had expressed concerns that the charges would be lenient, and their fears were confirmed on Friday. Holly’s father, Shaun Bowles, described the news as ‘devastating’, while Bianca’s mother, Michelle, stated that it was ‘like their lives didn’t even matter’. Australian foreign minister Penny Wong also expressed her disappointment, stating that she was ‘deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed’ that authorities were not pursuing more serious charges.

Australian officials have summoned the Laos ambassador to Canberra and dispatched an envoy to Laos to convey their objections and reinforce their expectations for a thorough investigation. The Danish foreign ministry has also expressed disappointment, with foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stating that it is difficult to come to terms with such a lenient indictment.

The incident occurred in November 2024, when the victims consumed methanol-laced vodka at the Nana Backpackers hostel. The Australian teenagers were found sick in their room and eventually evacuated to hospitals in neighboring Thailand, where they later died. Two Danish women, a British woman, and an American man also died in the incident.

The Australian government’s updated travel advice for Laos warns of the risk of methanol poisoning, as well as crime and concerns around the lack of transparency in the justice system. Travellers are advised to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting the country.