Australia took a strong diplomatic step on Friday, summoning the Lao ambassador to Canberra to express its anger over how Laos is handling criminal charges related to the deaths of two young Australian travelers who were poisoned by contaminated alcohol.
Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19 years old, lost their lives in 2024 after drinking methanol-laced alcohol in Vang Vieng, a town in Laos that draws large numbers of international backpackers. The town is located roughly a two-hour drive north of the Lao capital, Vientiane.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong made clear that her government has not stayed silent on the matter. “We have consistently made clear our expectations that charges should reflect the gravity of the tragedy that claimed the lives of Holly and Bianca in November 2024,” she said in an official statement.
Wong also announced she plans to personally raise Australia’s concerns with her Lao counterpart at an upcoming meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers in Manila next week.
The two Australians were not the only victims. Four additional tourists — two Danish nationals, one American, and one British citizen — also died after consuming the same contaminated alcohol.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corp, which did not name its sources, Lao officials may be looking to charge those allegedly responsible under two offenses that together carry a maximum of one year in prison and a fine of up to A$1,600, which is roughly $1,120 in U.S. dollars. The families of the victims were described as “furious” over the potential charges and have called on the Australian government to step in.
Laos’ embassy in Canberra had not responded to a request for comment at the time of this report.
Methanol is a highly toxic substance used in industrial settings as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel. It is not safe for human consumption and can be deadly even in small amounts.
