Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, died from methanol poisoning after travelling to Laos last year
Samantha Morton and Shaun Bowles appeared on “60 Minutes” to talk about the death of their daughter who died form methanol poisoning(Image: 60 Minutes)
The parents of two teenagers who died while traveling abroad are warning others not to travel to unsafe countries.
Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, travelled to Laos last year but did not return home after becoming seriously unwell, along with four others, from methanol poisoning.
A year on from their deaths, their parents are now warning others not to travel to the country, reports the Mirror.
Best mates Holly and Bianca, both from Australia, made their way to the tourist hotspot of Vang Vieng in northern Laos, around 80 miles north of the county’s capital Vientiane.
However, the teenagers, along with four other holidaymakers, were discovered suffering from methanol poisoning at the Nana Backpackers hostel, reports the Mirror US.
The six are reported to have consumed contaminated drinks before becoming seriously unwell.
Holly and Bianca were airlifted to a hospital in nearby Thailand where they received treatment in critical condition but died from their injuries.
Methanol, a colourless and odourless substance, can trigger severe illness and prove fatal if just 25ml are consumed.
Holly’s parents, Sean and Samantha, have spoken out about the investigation into her death, expressing their disappointment in its handling.
Mark and Michelle Jones, Bianca’s parents, also told the Sun-Herald that “to date, no individual or organisation has been held accountable”.
Tourist hotspot of Vang Vieng(Image: AP)
Both sets of parents branded the country as “corrupt” and claim that there’s no indication that police have properly investigated the tragedy.
They stated: “We recognise how corrupt and unhelpful the Laotian Government is; there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest there is any type of investigation going on.
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“(Our) hope is that Australians remove this country from their bucket list, your life is worth nothing over there and we have seen this first-hand as well as other families that have been involved in this tragedy.”
Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria, acknowledged the parents’ frustration as “very real” due to the lack of progress in the Laotian investigation.
Mark and Michelle expressed concerns that it “appears these deaths of innocent young women may be forgotten, brushed aside and left unresolved”.
All four parents made an appearance on 60 Minutes, a news magazine programme, where they claimed to have been ignored by the Laotian government, with officials refusing to discuss their daughters’ deaths.
Six tourists staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel died from suspected methanol poisoning(Image: AP)
“We’ve heard nothing,” Mark revealed during the interview, which was broadcast on Sunday night, November 9.
“I cannot have my daughter’s passing not mean anything,” said the heartbroken father.
Shaun added: “Last November, in a letter to our Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the Lao Government did express its ‘profound sadness’ over the deaths.”
“And it said it ‘was investigating the cause of the incident to bring the perpetrators to justice’.”
“But so far, despite those words, there’s been very little action. When we tried to go to Laos to find out why we were denied access to the country because they claimed the case is still being worked on.”
The 60 Minutes correspondent attempted to make contact with Laotian officials, but without success. “
Shaun said: “More significantly, and cruelly, no Lao officials will meet with the devastated families, not even in private.”
