A Melbourne father whose daughter died from methanol poisoning in Laos said he is “disgusted” by the inadequacy of the charges expected to be brought against the people allegedly responsible.
Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, both 19, died after a mass methanol poisoning at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng in November 2024.
The incident also killed two Danish women, an American and a British woman.
Officials in Laos are expected to sum up their investigation into the incident on Friday afternoon.
The ABC understands Laotian authorities may seek to charge the alleged culprits with two offences, which together carry a prison sentence of up to one year and a maximum fine of $1,600.
Sean Bowles and Mark Jones expressed disbelief at the proposed charges and penalties, calling on the Australian government to intervene. (ABC News: Kyle Harley)
Bianca’s father, Mark Jones, told ABC that “(feeling) furious would be an understatement.”
“To think that the life of my daughter and five others is worth less than a year in prison and less than $1,600,” he said.
“I have no words to express my disgust that the Laotian authorities are proposing to seek justice for the deaths of six tourists.
“I urge the Australian government to do everything it can to intervene.
“Prime Minister Albanese needs to reach out to his counterpart in Laos and insist that some form of genuine justice is served in the deaths of two Australian citizens.”
Parents call on Australia to ‘intervene’
The Australian government has been advised of possible charges including operating an illegal business and manufacturing or selling consumer products hazardous to health.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.
“We understand how disappointing and disappointing this development will be,” DFAT said in a letter to the teenagers’ families.
“Especially given the efforts that have been made for many months to encourage the most serious charges available to be addressed.”
Government puts pressure on Lao authorities
“We will once again convey our strong view of the inadequacy of the charges directly to the Laotian authorities.”
Earlier this year, the Australian government summoned Laos’ ambassador to Canberra amid criticism of the country’s response to a fatal methanol poisoning.
Holly’s father, Sean Bowles, said it was “very difficult to understand” the proposed charges and the penalties they carry.
“We tried every opportunity that was open to us,” Mr. Bowles said.
“There is nothing more we can do; our hope lies in the hands of our government, so we really hope they can step in and do something.”
Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles were traveling in Southeast Asia when a fatal mass poisoning occurred.
In November 2024, more than a dozen people became seriously ill after drinking alcohol at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng. (ABC News: Mitchell Woolnough )
More than a dozen people became seriously ill in November 2024 after drinking in a dorm.
In January, a Laotian court found 10 people associated with the hostel guilty of destroying evidence.
They were fined what Bowles and Jones estimated at $185 and given suspended sentences.
Although this charge only concerned the death of a tourist from the United States.