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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Australia raises Laos travel alert after tourist deaths from methanol poisoning

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Australian authorities have raised travel advice for Laos due to risks of crime and methanol poisoning, following the deaths of two Australian women.
  • A Lao distillery owner has been charged over a 2024 mass poisoning incident that killed six tourists, including the Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles.
  • The Australian government warns against consuming "Tiger" branded spirits and highlights concerns about transparency in the Lao justice system.

Australian authorities have escalated travel warnings for Laos, citing significant risks of crime and methanol poisoning after two Australian women died from contaminated alcohol. The updated advice reflects ongoing concerns about the country's justice system.

The Lao legal system may not provide transparency or justice, particularly in criminal cases. Authorities may apply the law inconsistently.

— DFAT SmartTraveller websiteDescribing concerns about the justice system in Laos.

The travel alert level was raised following charges against a Lao distillery owner in connection with a 2024 mass poisoning incident that claimed the lives of six tourists. Among the victims were Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, who died after consuming alcoholic drinks.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) SmartTraveller website now warns tourists about "crime, the risk of methanol poisoning and ongoing concerns around lack of transparency in the justice system." It notes that "The Lao legal system may not provide transparency or justice, particularly in criminal cases. Authorities may apply the law inconsistently."

Several foreign nationals, including Australians, died of methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks in 2024. Be alert to the potential risks, particularly with spirit-based drinks, including cocktails.

— DFAT SmartTraveller websiteWarning tourists about the risk of methanol poisoning from alcoholic beverages in Laos.

DFAT specifically advises against consuming "Tiger" branded spirits, believed to be the drinks consumed by Ms. Morton-Bowles and Ms. Jones prior to their deaths. Lao authorities have reportedly prohibited the sale and consumption of "Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky" due to health risks. The travel advice remains at Level 2, urging travelers to "do your research and take extra precautions."

Australians should avoid consuming these products due to these serious safety concerns.

— DFAT SmartTraveller websiteAdvising Australians to avoid specific "Tiger" branded spirits.

Families of the victims, including Bianca Jones' father Mark Jones, have expressed outrage over the perceived leniency of the charges laid by Lao authorities. The charges against the distillery owner include the sale of food products harmful to health and operating an illegal business, carrying penalties of three months to four years imprisonment and fines.

We're not saying don't go to this location. But do your research and take extra precautions.

— SmartTraveller websiteClarifying the nature of the raised travel advice level.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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