Australia lifted its travel warning for Laos on July 17, 2026, and said it was "deeply frustrated" by charges filed in connection with a mass methanol poisoning that killed six foreign nationals, including two Australian backpackers.
The Guardian reported that a distillery owner was among those charged over the poisoning. The maximum penalty under the charges is one year in jail, and the distillery owner could face as little as 3 months. BBC News confirmed that Laos had announced it would pursue charges against those allegedly responsible.
Among the six victims were Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, according to The Guardian.
The revised Australian travel advisory, issued on July 17, 2026, calls on travellers to take heightened precautions in Laos. The Guardian said the elevated warning is tied specifically to the risk of methanol poisoning.