The owner of a distillery has been indicted in connection with the deaths of six foreign tourists who consumed methanol-laced alcohol at a popular tourist destination in Laos two years ago, but the victims' families are protesting that the charges are excessively lenient.

According to reports from the Associated Press and other outlets on July 18 (local time), the Lao Ministry of Public Security recently announced that the distillery owner, identified as A, has been charged with selling substandard food and operating illegally.

The individual is accused of supplying alcohol containing methanol to a hostel in Vang Vieng, a famous tourist spot in Laos, in November 2024.

At the time, six foreign tourists who drank alcohol at the hostel died in succession.

The victims included two Australians, two Danes, one British national, and one American.

Bianca Jones (then 19), an Australian who died after being transferred to a hospital in Thailand, was found to have succumbed to brain edema caused by high concentrations of methanol in her system.

In a statement to Australia's ABC News, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The charges against A could result in a prison sentence of three months to four years and a fine," adding, "If sufficient evidence is secured, more serious charges such as manslaughter could be added."

However, the victims' families and the governments of the affected countries have protested, arguing that the charges do not reflect the severity of the incident and that the distillery owner could face as little as three months in prison.

Jones's father expressed his frustration, stating, "Angry is not a strong enough word," and added, "There are no words to express the disgust I feel."

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticized the situation, saying, "I am deeply frustrated and profoundly disappointed that the Lao authorities have not applied the most serious charges in relation to the methanol poisoning deaths of two Australians."

The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement, expressing "deep disappointment" and noting that the indictment "does not properly reflect the severity and scale of the tragedy that has affected so many families."

In some countries, including those in Southeast Asia, incidents of death from consuming alcohol adulterated with cheap methanol occur periodically.

Ingesting methanol can cause headaches and dizziness, and in severe cases, it can lead to blindness or death.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)