Laos says it cannot determine blame or cause of death for six methanol-related deaths.
A Briton, two Australians, two Danish nationals and an American died in November 2024 after a night out in Vang Vieng.
Laos’ Ministry of Public Security said they had no evidence that the deaths “were caused by the actions of any individual or any specific cause because no autopsies were conducted.”
Earlier this week, it was revealed that the owner of a distillery faces charges of selling unhealthy food and running an illegal business, but not death.
The cumulative charges carry a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of £829 (US$1,100; AU$1,600) for those found guilty.
In response, the Australian government said yes “deeply disappointed and bitterly disappointed” no more serious charges were brought after the deaths of the six tourists.
The Australian Foreign Office summoned Laos’ ambassador to Canberra.
In a statement on Saturday, Laos’ Ministry of Public Security said authorities were not allowed to conduct autopsies in 2024 and therefore “lacked the forensic evidence needed to determine the cause of death”.
However, the ministry added, officials found “excessive levels of methanol” in the vodka produced by the distillery.
The victims included 28-year-old Briton Simone White, 19-year-old Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, 20-year-old Anne-Sophie Orkild Koiman, 21-year-old Freya Vennerwald Sorensen, both from Denmark, and US citizen James Louis Hutson, 57.
The free shots are believed to have been tainted with methanol, a toxic substance commonly found in paint thinner, but which is sometimes illegally mixed with alcohol to cut costs.
The poison is a colorless liquid that tastes like alcohol, and a relatively small amount ingested can be fatal.
It is absorbed in the intestines within a few minutes, and then enters the bloodstream. When the body tries to clear methanol — by breaking it down or metabolizing it in the liver — the enzyme turns it into formaldehyde and formic acid.
Many of those affected were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where guests were unable to leave after falling ill on November 13.
Earlier this year, 10 people linked to the hostel were charged with destroying evidence, given suspended sentences and fined $185 (£135) each.
Vang Vieng is a riverside town in central Laos and is a hub for tourists traveling around Southeast Asia.
Last week the British Govt started a campaign warning tourists about the risk of methanol.
Some of the symptoms of methanol poisoning may include:
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Early signs include vomiting, poor judgment, loss of balance and drowsiness
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12-48 hours after consuming alcohol, symptoms may include abdominal pain, dizziness, hyperventilation, shortness of breath, blurred vision and/or blindness, coma, and seizures
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Vision problems are a typical red flag, particularly blurred vision, difficulty looking at bright lights, and in some cases total blindness. “Snowfield vision” (vision of static snow, similar to an old TV) or tunnel vision may also occur.