Vientiane, Laos: Charges laid over methanol poisoning event which killed Bianca Jones, Holly Morton-Bowles

Charges have been laid over the mass methanol poisoning event which killed to Australian teenagers.

Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, both 19, died in November, 2024, while staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos.

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

On Friday, a press conference was held by Lao officials in the country’s capital, Vientiane.

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

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.

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.”

Bianca Jones’ parents on Friday pleaded with Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong to continue pressing Laos for justice, saying they were devastated by reports those allegedly responsible for the deaths of five tourists could face a maximum sentence of just one year in jail and a collective fine of about $1600.

“I would ask that Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong continue their engagement with Laos,” Bianca’s father said.

“It’s unacceptable that the passing of our daughter, her best friend Holly and three other beautiful women... come down to the potential maximum outcome of one year in jail and $1,600.”

Her mother said the news left the family feeling as though “their lives didn’t even matter”, while the couple also issued a stark warning to Australians considering travelling to Laos.

“Don’t go to Laos. Your life doesn’t matter,” Bianca’s father said, urging travellers to stick to sealed drinks if they head overseas.

- With AP.