Authorities in Laos have charged the owner of a distillery after a mass methanol poisoning that killed two young Australian women, as travel warnings harden for the Asian country.
Amid concerns in Australia over whether justice would be served nearly two years after the deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, Danish officials confirmed the charges after international journalists were denied entry to a press conference outlining the developments.
The Melbourne teenagers, both 19, fell seriously ill after staying at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng in November 2024.
Two Danish women, an American man and a British woman also died in the incident.
Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in a statement, issued in Copenhagen, that charges were officially laid by Laos officials on Friday.
They relate to selling food harmful to health and operating an illegal business.
Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he was disappointed the indictment didn't reflect the seriousness and extent of the tragedy impacting so many families.
He acknowledged it could be complicated to meet the burden of proof required to bring the most serious charges in such a case but also pointed out it was difficult to come to terms with such a lenient indictment.
If found guilty, the accused faced up to four years' jail and a fine, Denmark's foreign ministry said.
Mr Rasmussen said his office would work with the victims' relatives and other affected countries to discuss their next moves in the case.
Meanwhile, the Australian government's travel advisory and consular information service, smartraveller, has upgraded its tourist warning for Laos.
"We now advise exercise a high degree of caution due to crime, the risk of methanol poisoning and ongoing concerns around lack of transparency in the justice system," it said.
"Higher levels apply in some areas.
"The Lao legal system may not provide transparency or justice, particularly in criminal cases."
Multiple international outlets were denied entry to the media conference in Vientiane, which was attended by Danish, British and Australian officials.
Bianca's parents, Mark and Michelle Jones, told AAP on Friday before the media conference they were devastated over the potential sentences that they believed were inadequate.
"We're disgusted and angry."
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong described the development as "deeply frustrating" after the Australian government summoned Laos' ambassador to Canberra on Friday.
She said the charges ''should reflect the gravity of the tragedy'' and confirmed she and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were expressing these expectations to their Lao counterparts.
"Since their deaths, Australia has advocated for a thorough and transparent investigation that takes into account all available evidence and for those responsible to be held to account," Senator Wong said in a statement.
''What happened to Holly, Bianca and four other foreign nationals should never have happened."
Australian diplomat Pablo Kang had been asked earlier in 2026 to "explore all avenues to progress the case" and had engaged extensively with Lao authorities on behalf of the government and the families.
Mr Kang is expected to travel to Laos to convey the government's objections and reinforce the expectations for justice.
