Lack of transparency from authorities abroad has prompted Australia to dispatch a special envoy to Laos as it probes the methanol poisoning deaths of two teenagers.
Veteran diplomat Pablo Kang has been tasked with “exploring all avenues to progress the case” concerning the 2024 deaths of Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones in Laos.
The 19-year-olds from Melbourne’s Bayside region were backpacking through Southeast Asia when they tragically succumbed to methanol poisoning in late 2024. The incident occurred while they were drinking at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng.
This mass poisoning event claimed the lives of at least six foreigners, including British national Simone White, an American tourist, and two young women from Denmark.
The families of Morton-Bowles and Jones expressed outrage this week after learning that ten individuals linked to the methanol poisoning case appeared in court in January. They were fined a mere $185 for evidence destruction, and no charges have been filed regarding the deaths.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced Kang’s mission on Thursday, following an apology from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) earlier in the week for not providing more information to the victims’ families.
“Since their November 2024 deaths, the Albanese Government has been clear to the Lao authorities of the need for transparency and accountability,” Wong said in a statement.
“We have consistently conveyed our expectations that charges should reflect the seriousness of the tragedy that killed Holly, Bianca and four other foreign nationals.”
Kang is the head of the Southeast Asia regional and mainland division of DFAT and will leave for Laos as soon as possible. He has previously served as Australia’s representative in Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu.
Morton-Bowles’ father, Shaun Bowles, said Australians considering travelling to Laos should rethink their plans and avoid the country.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley called for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to summon the Laotian ambassador for a “formal explanation” on Tuesday about the “weak prosecutions”.
During parliamentary Question Time, Albanese acknowledged the court developments had “added to the heartbreak” of the families.
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