Officials say they have no evidence of poisoning over the 2024 deaths because autopsies were not conducted.

The victims included Australians Holly Bowles (L) and Bianca Jones (R) and Briton Simone White (C) Laos says it cannot determine blame or cause for six deaths linked to methanol-tainted alcohol. A Briton, two Australians, two Danish citizens and an American died in November 2024 following a night out in Vang Vieng. Laos Ministry of Public Security said they did not have evidence to establish if the deaths "were caused by the actions of any individual or by any particular cause, because no autopsies were conducted on the bodies". It emerged earlier this week that the distillery owner is facing charges for the sale of food products harmful to health and operating an illegal business, but not the deaths. The charges collectively carry penalties of up to one year in jail and a fine of £829 (US$1,100; A$1,600) against those allegedly responsible. In response, the Australian government said it was "deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed" more serious charges had not been pursued following the deaths of the six backpackers. In its statement on Saturday, the Laos Ministry of Public Security said authorities had not been allowed to conduct autopsies in 2024, and therefore "lacked the forensic evidence necessary to determine the cause of death".