Crime & Public Safety
Laos says evidence is lacking in tourist deaths linked to tainted alcohol
Laos authorities said on Saturday that they could not determine blame or the cause of the 2024 deaths of six tourists previously linked to methanol-tainted alcohol because their families did not allow autopsies.
Two Danish citizens, an American, a Briton and two Australians died after what media reports described as a night out in Vang Vieng in November 2024.
The Laos Ministry of Public Security said authorities did not have evidence to establish whether the deaths were caused by any individual's actions or by any particular cause. It said the lack of autopsies meant investigators did not have the forensic evidence needed to determine the cause of death.
The ministry also said the Ministry of Health's Food and Drug Research Center found excessive levels of methanol in Tiger Vodka. Methanol is a toxic alcohol that can be added to liquor to increase its potency and can cause blindness, liver damage and death.
According to the ministry, information from the Australian Embassy and a Thai hospital showed that methanol had been detected in the blood of the two Australian tourists who died.
The statement said legal proceedings had been started against the owner of the Tiger distillery for manufacturing or selling products hazardous to health and for illegal commercial operation. The operator of the Tiger brand has reportedly denied responsibility.
The owner and 10 employees of the hostel where the American tourist was staying have also been charged with destruction of evidence after taking his body to hospital.
The pace and scope of the investigation have caused tension between Australia and Laos. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday that the Australian government was deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed that Laos authorities were not pursuing the most serious charges.
Australian media, including public broadcaster ABC, reported that Laos would pursue charges carrying combined penalties of up to one year in jail and a fine equal to Aus$1,600, or about $1,100. Wong said she would again raise Australia's views directly with her Laos counterpart at a Southeast Asian ministerial meeting in Manila next week.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told Danish media that such a lenient charge was difficult to accept. He said he had contacted Laos' foreign minister over the years to insist on a thorough investigation and accountability. He said he was deeply disappointed that the charge did not reflect the gravity and scale of the tragedy.
The parents of Australian victim Bianca Jones also criticised Laos authorities for not pursuing harsher charges. Her mother, Michelle Jones, told the ABC that the family was appalled and said the outcome was devastating.
Vang Vieng has long been part of the Southeast Asia backpacker route. The town was once known for alcohol- and drug-fuelled jungle parties for backpackers, but has since rebranded as an ecotourism destination.
Australian authorities have warned travellers to Laos to be alert to the risks of consuming spirits-based drinks, including cocktails. The travel advice says Laos authorities banned the sale and consumption of local Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky brands because of health concerns.
Update
Laos' Ministry of Public Security said authorities lacked forensic evidence because autopsies were not permitted.
Legal proceedings were initiated against the owner of the Tiger distillery for manufacturing or selling products hazardous to health and illegal commercial operation.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen criticised the charges as too lenient.
Australian victim Bianca Jones' parents criticised Laos authorities for not pursuing harsher charges.
Australian travel advice warns travellers to Laos about spirits-based drinks and notes a Lao ban on Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky due to health concerns.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 July 2026 at 11:25:24 UTC.
Update
Laos's Ministry of Public Security said authorities lacked forensic evidence because autopsies were not permitted.
The ministry said the Ministry of Health's Food and Drug Research Center found excessive methanol levels in Tiger Vodka.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against the owner of the Tiger distillery over allegedly hazardous products and illegal commercial operation.
The hostel owner and 10 employees where the American tourist was staying have been charged with destruction of evidence after transporting his body to hospital.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia was deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed that Laos was not pursuing the most serious charges.
Australian media reported that the charges carry penalties of up to one year in jail and a fine equal to Aus$1,600.
Bianca Jones' parents criticised Laos authorities for not pursuing harsher charges.
Australian travel advice warns travellers to Laos about risks from spirits-based drinks and notes a Laos ban on Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 July 2026 at 09:57:16 UTC.
Update
Laos authorities said they lacked forensic evidence because they were not allowed to conduct autopsies on the bodies of the deceased tourists.
The Laos Ministry of Health's Food and Drug Research Center found excessive methanol levels in Tiger Vodka, according to the statement.
The statement said methanol was detected in the blood of the two deceased Australian tourists, based on information from the Australian Embassy and a Thai hospital.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against the owner of the Tiger distillery for manufacturing or selling products hazardous to health and illegal commercial operation.
The owner and 10 employees of the hostel where the American tourist was staying have been charged with destruction of evidence after transporting his body to hospital.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia was deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed that Laos authorities were not pursuing the most serious charges.
Australian travel advice warns travellers to Laos to be alert to the risks of spirits-based drinks and notes a Lao ban on Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky because of health concerns.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 July 2026 at 08:35:09 UTC.
Update
Six tourists died in 2024 after previously being linked to methanol-tainted alcohol.
The victims were two Danish citizens, one American, one Briton and two Australians.
Media reports said the deaths followed a night out in Vang Vieng in November 2024.
Laos's Ministry of Public Security said authorities do not have evidence to establish whether the deaths were caused by any individual or by any particular cause.
The ministry said no autopsies were conducted on the bodies.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 July 2026 at 07:22:02 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Laos authorities said they could not determine the cause of death because autopsies were not conducted.
The source attributes some details about the tourists' night out to media reports.
The operator of the Tiger brand has reportedly denied responsibility.
Source
AFP news report published on .