Laos Ministry of Public Security has announced that it cannot establish the cause of six deaths in Vang Vieng linked to methanol‑tainted alcohol, because body examinations were never carried out.
The victims were a Briton, two Australians, two Danes and an American who died during the night of 13 November 2024 after drinking free shots at a local bar.
The distillery owner faces charges for selling harmful food products and running an illegal business, with a maximum penalty of one year behind bars and a fine of US$1,100.
Australia has expressed deep frustration and called a meeting with Laos’ ambassador in Canberra. The British government has also warned tourists of the risks of methanol‑contaminated drinks.
Investigators were unable to conduct autopsies in 2024, so they could not gather forensic evidence. However, excessive levels of methanol were found in vodka produced by the implicated distillery.
Victims included Briton Holly Bowles, Australian Bianca Jones, Australian Holly Morton-Bowles, Danish Anne‑Sofie Orkild Coyman, Danish Freja Vennervald Sorensen and American James Louis Hutson.
Methanol is a colourless toxic liquid often mixed with alcohol illegally to cut costs. It has a taste and appearance similar to alcohol, but even small amounts can be lethal once metabolised into formaldehyde and formic acid.
Many victims were staying at Nana Backpacker Hostel; they failed to check out after falling ill. Earlier this year, ten people linked to the hostel were charged with destroying evidence and received suspended sentences and fines of US$185.
Vang Vieng is a riverside town in central Laos popular with backpackers travelling across South‑East Asia.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning include vomiting, poor judgement, loss of balance, drowsiness, abdominal pain, vertigo, breathlessness, blurred vision, coma and sometimes blindness. Severe cases can cause “snowfield vision” or tunnel vision.
