Laos says it cannot determine cause of tourist deaths linked to methanol

Laos says it cannot determine blame or cause for six deaths linked to methanol-tainted alcohol.

A Briton, two Australians, two Danish citizens and an American died in November 2024 following a night out in Vang Vieng.

Laos Ministry of Public Security said they did not have evidence to establish if the deaths “were caused by the actions of any individual or by any particular cause, because no autopsies were conducted on the bodies”.

It emerged earlier this week that the distillery owner is facing charges for the sale of food products harmful to health and operating an illegal business, but not the deaths.

The charges collectively carry penalties of up to one year in jail and a fine of £829 (US$1,100; A$1,600) against those allegedly responsible.

In response, the Australian government said it was “deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed” more serious charges had not been pursued following the deaths of the six backpackers.

Australia’s foreign ministry summoned Laos’ ambassador in Canberra.

In its statement on Saturday, the Laos Ministry of Public Security said authorities had not been allowed to conduct autopsies in 2024, and therefore “lacked the forensic evidence necessary to determine the cause of death”.

However, the ministry added, officials had found “excessive levels of methanol” in vodka made by the distillery involved.

The victims included Simone White, a 28-year-old Briton, 19-year-old Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, both from Denmark, and US national James Louis Hutson, 57.

Australian media reported at the time that the Australian Federal Police had offered to assist Laos with the investigation but were denied. The usual time frame for an autopsy to be performed needs to be two to three days after death.

The bodies of the two Australians were repatriated two weeks after their deaths.

It is thought that the victims drank free shots tainted with methanol, a toxic substance normally found in paint thinner but that is sometimes mixed with alcohol illegally to cut costs.

The poison is a colourless liquid that tastes similar to alcohol and drinking a relatively small amount can be lethal.

It is absorbed in the gut within minutes and then gets into the bloodstream. As the body attempts to clear methanol – breaking it down or metabolising it in the liver – an enzyme converts it to formaldehyde and formic acid.

Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where guests failed to check out after falling ill on 13 November.

Earlier this year, 10 people connected to the hostel were charged with destroying evidence, receiving suspended sentences and fines of $185 (£135) each.

Vang Vieng is a riverside town in central Laos and is a hub for backpackers travelling across South-East Asia.

Last week the British government launched a campaign warning tourists of the risks of methanol.

Some of the symptoms of methanol poisoning can include: