Laos Authorities Fail to Prove Methanol Poisoning in Danish Women's Deaths

Laotian authorities have failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that methanol poisoning caused the deaths of two Danish women, and the burden of proof is too weak to pursue manslaughter charges. The only remaining legal avenue appears to be a violation of rules by the distillery that produced the liquor the women consumed.

This information was conveyed to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a press conference held by local authorities on Friday, according to Anne-Marie Ørkild, the mother of one of the deceased women. The deaths occurred in November 2024 when Anne-Sofie Ørkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sørensen, 21, died at a hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, after consuming methanol-contaminated alcohol.

The case gained public attention after the two Danish travelers died in a Laotian hospital. Similar circumstances led to the deaths of two Australian women, an American, and a British national at the same hostel. Australian authorities have expressed significant frustration with the Laotian authorities' handling of these cases.

Families of the deceased Danish women had previously criticized the investigation as faltering and accused the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and police of insufficient involvement. This prompted Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to promise increased access for the families to understand the case's progress. While the families confirmed this improved their view of the case management, Anne-Marie Ørkild still has many unanswered questions. "I hope the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can continue the diplomatic pressure, and then I hope we will find out what happened to our girls. We don't know what happened to them in their last day, or if they received treatment," she told DR. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it would monitor the press conference closely, emphasizing its serious approach to the case. While acknowledging that Laotian authorities are responsible for the investigation, the ministry has followed the case exceptionally closely due to its gravity and will continue to do so as the legal proceedings in Laos are not yet concluded.

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I hope the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can continue the diplomatic pressure, and then I hope we will find out what happened to our girls. We don't know what happened to them in their last day, or if they received treatment.