The families of Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, two 19-year-old Australians, were devastated when the girls passed away due to methanol poisoning during a trip to Laos last year. Allegations surfaced that the authorities in Laos did not handle the investigation seriously. Consequently, the grieving parents are cautioning other parents against allowing their children to visit this region, citing safety concerns and labeling the country as “corrupt.”
In November, Holly and Bianca, close friends, visited the popular tourist destination of Vang Vieng, where they were exposed to methanol. Along with four other travelers, they were found suffering from methanol poisoning at the Nana Backpackers hostel. The teenagers were airlifted to a hospital in Thailand for critical treatment but tragically succumbed to their injuries.
Methanol, a colorless and odorless substance, can lead to severe illness and even death if consumed in small amounts. Holly’s parents, Sean and Samantha, expressed disappointment in the investigation’s handling, highlighting perceived shortcomings in the inquiry. They, along with the Jones family, criticized the Laotian government for what they viewed as a lack of a thorough investigation into the tragic incident.
The families’ plea is for Australians to reconsider traveling to Laos, emphasizing the perceived lack of value for human life in the country. They voiced concerns about the apparent lack of accountability or resolution regarding the deaths of the young women. Despite promises from the Lao government to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice, the families feel that little progress has been made, with little action taken so far.
Efforts to seek answers have been met with obstacles, including denied access to Laos and a lack of cooperation from Laotian officials. The families’ attempts to engage with authorities have been unsuccessful, with no meetings granted, not even in private settings. The frustration and grief of the families have been amplified by the perceived lack of transparency and progress in the investigation.
