Charges expected to be laid over Laos methanol poisoning deaths

A Melbourne father,whose daughter died from methanol poisoning in Laos has said he is “disgusted” over the charges expected to be laid against the people allegedly responsible.

Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, both 19, died after a mass methanol poisoning incident 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.

Officials in Laos are expected to outline the conclusion of their investigation into the incident on Friday afternoon.

The ABC understands that Laos officials could seek to charge those allegedly responsible with two offences that collectively carry up to one year in jail, and a maximum fine of $1,600.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.

Bianca’s father, Mark Jones, told the ABC that “(feeling) furious would be an understatement”.

“To think that the lives of my daughter, and another five people is worth less than a year in prison and less than $1600 dollars,” he said.

“I’m calling on the Australian government to do all they can to intervene.”

“For Prime Minister Albanese to reach out to his counterpart in Laos to insist that some form of genuine justice is served for the deaths of two Australian citizens.”