Melbourne Methanol Poisoning Victims' Families Express Disbelief Over $185 Fines for Laos Hostel Staff
The families of two Melbourne teenagers who tragically lost their lives to methanol poisoning in Laos are deeply disturbed by the news that the hostel staff responsible for serving the toxic drinks have been fined a mere $185. Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, both aged 19, along with four other tourists, died after consuming methanol-laced alcohol at the Nana backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist spot in Laos, in November 2024.
Over a year later, the girls' fathers, Shaun Bowles and Mark Jones, are relying on a group chat with the families of other victims, initiated by the parents of British lawyer Simone White, for updates from the UK government. This is how they learned that 10 individuals associated with the hostel faced court in January and were fined $185, with a suspended sentence for evidence tampering.
"We were appalled by the sheer injustice faced by our daughters and the other victims," Jones stated in an interview with 9News.
"We have received no communication from the Laos government. We were completely unaware of the court proceedings."
