Laos to pursue maximum one-year sentences over tourist methanol poisonings

Laos will close its probe into six tourist methanol-poisoning deaths in Vang Vieng with charges capped at one year in jail and a A$1,600 fine. Methanol—a toxic alcohol sometimes contaminating bootleg drinks—killed the visitors in November 2024. Australia dispatched a special envoy and will raise the case at ASEAN, the Southeast Asian regional bloc. Families called the penalties unacceptable.