Laos waives AFP assistance in Aussie methanol deaths
The Laotian government has not taken up an offer from the Australian Federal Police to help investigate the deaths of two Melbourne teenagers from methanol poisoning.
Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, died after consuming tainted alcohol in the tourist town of Vang Vieng last year.
Defence Minister Richard Marles told federal parliament on Thursday that he was sad to report the response from authorities in Laos.
“I would want to assure the families of Bianca and Holly that we remain in contact with the Laos authorities and that the offer of assistance is consistently being offered and raised,” he said.
Ms Bowles died in a Bangkok hospital on November 22, a day after Ms Jones died in another hospital in the Thai capital.
The teenagers did not leave their dorm at the Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar and reported feeling sick on November 13, before being rushed to hospitals.
Inquiring about progress in the case, independent MP Zoe Daniel told parliament the families were desperate for information about the investigation and whether anyone would be held responsible to avoid a repeat of the poisoning.
In the wake of six foreign nationals dying including an American man, two Danish women and a British woman, the Laotian government vowed to “bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law”.
At least eight people, believed to be hotel staff and management, were detained, but officials in Laos have released almost no details in the mass poisoning case since November.
“We will continue to press Laos to pursue this investigation as we will continue to offer the assistance of the Australian government through the AFP,” Mr Marles said.
“What happened to Holly and Bianca struck at the heart of the nation.”
The minister said Foreign Minister Penny Wong had also advocated on the families’ behalf.
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