Overview

• Six tourists, including two Australian teenagers, died in November 2024 after consuming methanol-tainted alcohol at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos.
• Local police have recommended charges against 13 individuals tied to the hostel and Tiger distillery for violations such as food safety and unlawful business practices.
• The proposed charges exclude homicide or manslaughter counts, which victims' families have criticized as insufficient and insulting.
• The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated travel advisories, warning against consuming Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky in Laos.
• Victims' families continue to advocate for justice and raise awareness about methanol poisoning, highlighting the dangers of unregulated alcohol abroad.