Families of Australians Killed in Laos Demand Answers After Methanol Poisoning Incident

The families of two Australian teenagers, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, who tragically died in Laos from suspected methanol poisoning, are calling for justice after eight individuals were detained in connection with the incident. The two 19-year-olds were among six foreign tourists who lost their lives after consuming bootleg alcohol containing methanol, a toxic substance commonly found in illicit spirits.

The bodies of Jones and Bowles were returned to Melbourne on Tuesday, accompanied by their families. Jones’s father, Mark Jones, expressed relief at the progress of the investigation, stating, “We miss our daughters desperately. I was happy to hear that there’s been some movement over in Laos. We cannot have our girls passing and this continuing to happen.”

The eight people detained for questioning, primarily staff from the Nana Backpackers Hostel, where all victims had been staying, are under investigation. The hostel, now closed, had previously denied serving illicit alcohol. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of death, which also involved other foreign nationals, including Simone White from the UK, James Louis Hutson from the US, and Danish citizens Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman and Freja Vennervald Sorensen.

The authorities are working to determine how many others might have been affected by the suspected methanol poisoning. Earlier reports indicated that Jones and Bowles had been the only guests at the hostel to fall ill after consuming free shots of alcohol before heading out.

Methanol poisoning is a serious concern in Southeast Asia, particularly in regions like Laos, where bootleg alcohol is often contaminated with the substance. Even small amounts of methanol—just 25ml, roughly half a shot—can be lethal. Symptoms of poisoning, such as vomiting and abdominal pain, can take up to 24 hours to appear. The recent deaths in Laos have raised awareness about the dangers of consuming bootleg alcohol, particularly in party towns like Vang Vieng.

The families of the victims have vowed to raise awareness of methanol poisoning and to push the Laotian government to continue the investigation and bring those responsible to justice.