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The families of two Melbourne teenagers who died after drinking alcohol in Laos criticized the fines of AU$185 (approximately CAD 176) received by staff members who served the fatal drinks.
Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, 19, died after being served tainted alcohol s methanol at the Nana Backpacker hostel in November 2024, part of a mass poisoning that also killed two Danish women, an American tourist and a British woman.
Two 19-year-old Australian women fell ill after a night out drinking with a group and failed to check out of the Nana Backpacker hostel as planned. The women were found sick in their room and then taken to Thailand for emergency treatment, where they both died in hospital.
Thai authorities confirmed that Jones died of “brain swelling due to the high levels of methanol found in her body”.
The women’s fathers, Shaun Bowles and Mark Jones, said they had not been informed of the court case involving the hostel staff, which was being heard at the People’s Court in Vang Vieng, Laos.
They participated in a group discussion with the families of the victims who gave them updates and learned that 10 people associated with the hostel faced a judge in late January.
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The 10 people were fined A$185 each and suspended for destroying evidence, 9News.
“We were shocked by the absolute injustice for our girls and others,” Jones said. “We did not correspond with anyone from the government of Laos. We had no idea that a court case was going on.
“To think that the Lao authorities believe that those involved in the murder of our daughters are worth $185 is absolutely disgraceful.”
The fathers initially thought the court case was related to their daughters’ deaths, but the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that the evidence destruction charge was related to the death of the American tourist.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said The Foreign Office has communicated with the Bowles and Jones families.
“I made it clear to my Lao counterpart that Australia expects full accountability,” Wong said in a statement. “I also made it clear that the charges should reflect the seriousness of the tragedy in which six people died, including Holly and Bianca.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware that the Vang Vieng District Court has convicted individuals of destroying evidence in connection with the death of an American citizen,” Wong said. “We continue to press the Lao authorities in relation to the cases surrounding the deaths of Holly and Bianca and will continue to support Holly and Bianca’s families at this difficult time.”
Bowles and Jones called on the Australian government to step in and help bring justice for their daughter’s death.
“As citizens of this country, we expect the government to take care of its people and ensure justice for its citizens when they travel,” Jones said.
“We can’t go into the country. There’s nothing more we can do. We need the government to do something because we have no more options,” Bowles added.
Australia’s prime minister said the federal government would do everything it could to support the families of Bowles and Jones.
“The Foreign Minister has made it clear to her counterpart in Laos that Australia expects full accountability and that the charges should reflect the devastating seriousness of this incident. We will continue to engage the Lao authorities in these cases,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese he said during question time in the daily parliamentary session with representatives in the Parliament on Monday.
In November 2024. Canada issued a travel warning after six tourists, mostly from 19 to 20 years olddied of methanol poisoning in a popular tourist town in northern Laos.
“Several foreigners in Vang Vieng have been victims of alleged alcohol poisoning with methanol,” the warning reads. “Be careful if you choose to drink alcohol. Avoid accepting free or extremely cheap drinks. Only buy alcohol in sealed bottles and cans from trusted stores. Seek medical attention if you start to feel sick.”
It’s methanol clear, colorless alcohol it is used in all kinds of everyday products such as industrial cleaners, solvents, paints, cosmetics and antifreeze. Methanol is toxic and deadly when consumed.
Methanol is sometimes added to mixed drinks in seedy bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but it can cause serious poisoning or death. It is also a by-product of poorly distilled home liquor and could accidentally be found in bar drinks.
— With files from the Associated Press
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
