Laos says it can't determine cause of tourist deaths linked to methanol

Laos says it can't determine cause of tourist deaths linked to methanol Image source, Social media/handoutImage caption, The victims included Briton's Holly Bowles and Simone White and Australian Bianca JonesByOlivia IrelandPublished7 minutes agoLaos says it cannot determine blame or cause for the deaths of 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.It 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.It is thought the free shots were tainted with methanol, a toxic substance normally found in pain...