Laos has not accepted Australian offer for expert help to investigate methanol tourist deaths

[Pelican Press 0]

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Laos has not accepted *********** offer for expert help to investigate methanol tourist deaths

The government of Laos is refusing expert help from Australia in the investigation into the deaths of six foreign tourists – including *********** teens Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles – from methanol poisoning.

The 19-year-old friends from Melbourne were on the trip of a lifetime in the tourist town of Vang Vieng in November last year when they fell ill.

The pair, alongside four other tourists staying at the Nana Backpackers hostel, died after accidentally consuming methanol.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told the federal parliament on Thursday that Laos had not accepted help from the AFP in response to a question from independent Zoe Daniel.

Camera IconBianca Jones and Holly Bowles died of methanol poisoning in Laos. 60 Minutes Credit: Supplied

“The *********** Federal Police have made an offer to the authorities in Laos to provide their assistance in the investigation and there is a whole lot of capability that the *********** Federal Police could bring to bear in terms of this investigation,” Mr Marles said.

“I have to report, sadly to the house, that, at this point, the Laos authorities have not taken up that invitation on the part of the *********** Federal Police.

“But 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 being consistently offered and raised with the Laos authorities.”

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Samantha Morton and Michelle Jones – the mothers of the two girls – said this week they were angry that they hadn’t heard anything from the Laotian government following the daughters’ deaths.

“We’re still waiting to hear what’s going to happen next,” Ms Morton said.

The mothers raised their concerns over the lack of messaging about the dangers of taking free drinks at hostels and tourist bars, saying they were “angry” about the “lack of information coming out of Laos”.

Mr Marles told parliament Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong had spoken to her counterpart in Laos and “made clear” the *********** government expected a thorough investigation.

”We will continue to press Laos to pursue this investigation as we will continue to offer the assistance of the *********** government through the *********** Federal Police in this investigation,” Mr Marles said.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been in contact with Bianca and

Holly’s families and they will continue to do so.

“Any information that we have we want to share with them.”

Video reveals Aussie teens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones enjoying the perfect backpacking trip before their tragic deaths from methanol poisoning in Laos.

In an interview with 60 Minutes, Holly’s father Shaun Bowles said neither of the girls would have known they were consuming a lethal drink.

“They weren’t doing anything wrong,” he said.

“They were having, having a drink, having fun. And yeah, there’s no way to determine if there is methanol in a drink.

“So it’s, it’s very much a silent killer.”

Despite the six deaths, Mr Bowles said nobody has heard anything from the Laos government about their investigation into the methanol poisoning.

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