Charges laid over fatal methanol poisoning of teens

Authorities have charged the owner of a distillery in Laos after a mass methanol poisoning incident killed two young Australian women.

Danish officials confirmed the charges after international media outlets were denied entry to a press conference outlining the developments, nearly two years after the deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles.

The Melbourne teenagers, both 19, fell seriously ill after staying at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng in November 2024.

Two Danish women, an American man and a British woman also died in the incident.

Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in a statement, issued in Copenhagen, that charges were officially been laid by Laos officials on Friday.

The charges relate to selling food that is harmful to health and operating an illegal business.

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the matter had affected him deeply and he was disappointed that the indictment didn’t reflect the seriousness and extent of the tragedy affecting so many families.

He acknowledged it can be complicated to meet the burden of proof required to bring the most serious charges in such a case, but also pointed out that it is difficult to come to terms with such a lenient indictment.

The charges will make the accused liable to a prison sentence of between three months and four years and a fine if found guilty, Denmark’s foreign ministry said.

Mr Rasmussen said his office will now work with the relatives and other affected countries to discuss their next moves in the case.

Multiple international media outlets were denied entry to the media conference in Vientiane, Laos, which was attended by Danish, British and Australian officials. 

Bianca’s parents, Mark and Michelle Jones, told AAP on Friday they felt devastated over the legal outcome they believed felt inadequate.

“All up, our daughter, along with four other beautiful women, their lives are worth less than a year and about $1600,” Mr Jones said.

“We’re disgusted and angry.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong described the development as “deeply frustrating” after the Australian government summoned Laos’ ambassador to Canberra on Friday.

She said the charges “should reflect the gravity of the tragedy” and confirmed that she and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were expressing these expectations to their Lao counterparts.

“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,” Senator Wong said in a statement.

”What happened to Holly, Bianca and four other foreign nationals should never have happened.”

Australian diplomat Pablo Kang had been asked earlier in 2026 to “explore all avenues to progress the case”, and had engaged extensively with Lao authorities on behalf of the government and the families.

Mr Kang is expected to travel to Laos to convey the government’s objections and reinforce the expectations for an investigation that delivers justice.