The families of two Australian teenagers have issued a desperate plea to travellers, urging them to reconsider visiting Laos after their daughters tragically died from methanol poisoning during a holiday.
A Parent's Worst Nightmare
Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, were on a trip to the popular tourist destination of Vang Vieng in Laos last November when they were exposed to the toxic substance. The best friends were among six tourists staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel who consumed contaminated drinks and became seriously ill.
The situation quickly turned critical, and the two Australian girls were airlifted to a hospital in Thailand for emergency treatment. Despite medical intervention, both young women succumbed to their injuries, a devastating outcome for their families back home.
Families Condemn 'Corrupt' Investigation
In the painful aftermath, the parents of Holly and Bianca have expressed profound disappointment with the Laotian authorities' handling of the investigation. Appearing on the programme "60 Minutes", the families stated they have been met with silence.
Holly's parents, Samantha Morton and Shaun Bowles, along with Bianca's parents, Mark and Michelle Jones, have branded the country as "corrupt and unhelpful." They claim there is no evidence that police are conducting a proper investigation into the deaths.
"We recognise how corrupt and unhelpful the Laotian Government is; there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest there is any type of investigation going on," the families stated in a joint comment.
An Urgent Plea to Other Travellers
Heartbroken and seeking to prevent similar tragedies, the parents are now urging others, particularly Australians, to avoid travelling to Laos. They hope that by sharing their story, they can save other families from experiencing the same unimaginable grief.
"(Our) hope is that Australians remove this country from their bucket list," they said. "Your life is worth nothing over there and we have seen this first-hand as well as other families that have been involved in this tragedy."
Their concerns have been acknowledged at a high level, with Victoria's Premier, Jacinta Allan, describing the parents' frustration over the stalled investigation as "very real".
Despite a letter from the Lao Government to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressing "profound sadness" and promising an investigation, the families say they have seen no action. Their attempts to get answers have been met with closed doors, including being denied entry into the country to seek answers themselves.
