Laotian Distillery Declared Innocent in Fatal Methanol Poisoning Incident
A local distillery in Laos, which was previously implicated in the tragic methanol poisoning that claimed the lives of six foreign tourists including two Australian teenagers, has now stated it has been legally cleared of any wrongdoing. The incident occurred at Nana Backpacker's Hostel in Vang Vieng, north of the capital Vientiane, in November 2024.
Australian Teenagers Among Victims of Deadly Poisoning
Best friends Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19-year-olds from Melbourne, were among the six tourists who died after consuming methanol-laced drinks during a happy hour event at the popular backpacker hostel. The other victims included English lawyer Simone White, 28, and Danish friends Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Sorensen, 21.
The distillery, which produces Tiger brand vodka and whisky, has emphasized that no court action will be brought against it in relation to the poisoning deaths. Keo Sinorlai, niece of the distillery owner, told The Age newspaper that tests had cleared the business of responsibility for the incident.
Distillery Defends Its Production Methods
'I know people died in Vang Vieng. But if it was only this product that they were drinking, they would not have died,' Ms Sinorlai stated. 'This business has been going on for 30 years.'
She explained that her uncle's production method involves purchasing 90 percent ethanol from a pharmacy for approximately $4, then diluting it with water and flavourings until it reaches 40 percent alcohol volume. The resulting products are sold as Tiger brand vodka and whisky.
Ms Sinorlai offered no theories about what caused the deaths but noted that her 'drunk' husband would have been the first to suffer if their product contained methanol, which is a toxic by-product of brewing drinkable alcohol.
Hostel Employees Convicted of Evidence Destruction
In February of this year, the families of Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones learned that ten employees from Nana Backpacker's Hostel had been found guilty of destroying evidence following an investigation into the deaths. The case was heard in The People's Court of Vang Vieng in Laos.
The hostel workers each received a suspended sentence and a $185 fine, with the possibility of exit visas being granted after a 20-day appeal period. The families expressed outrage at both the minimal penalties and the fact they learned about the court case not from Australian authorities but from relatives of other poisoning victims.
'For us not to be told they're going ahead is abhorrent. There are no words,' Bianca's father Mark Jones told 9News. 'To think that the Laos authorities believe that those involved in killing our daughters is worth $185 is disgraceful.'
Australian Government Apologizes for Communication Failure
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued an unreserved apology to the families, acknowledging it 'fell short' in its consular duties. The department stated: 'The Department prides itself on its commitment to consular service and to ensuring that the interests of consular clients and their families are paramount. On this occasion, we fell short of our aspiration.'
DFAT clarified that the destruction of evidence charges only related to the death of James Hutson, a 57-year-old American tourist who also perished in the mass poisoning. No further charges will be laid in connection with the deaths, though a man linked to the distillery where the tainted spirits were produced remains before the courts.
Ongoing Impact and Warnings
Despite the distillery's claims of innocence, Tiger vodka and whisky have been banned in Laos since the deadly poisonings. Prior to the ban, these products were widely available in stores across the country for about $2.50 per bottle.
The Australian government's Smartraveller website continues to caution Australians against drinking Tiger-branded vodka and whisky when traveling in the region. Ms Sinorlai noted that her uncle's distillery remains closed, but attributed this to his serious health problems rather than the poisoning incident.
The Vang Vieng distributor for Tiger stated the brand was available in many locations, and there have only been reports of people falling sick at Nana Backpacker's Hostel. The families of the victims have expressed disbelief that the hostel has since reopened, with Mark Jones stating: 'Six people died in that hostel and they've opened it again. It's beyond comprehension.'
