Parents of Laos poisoning victims speak out
Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, were on a the trip of a lifetime backpacking through Southeast Asia on their gap year when they fell seriously ill.
The 19-year-old friends were staying at the popular Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng last November, when they were rushed to hospital after a night out with suspected methanol poisoning.
The teens were among six tourists who died in the mass poisoning.
The backpacker hostel has since shut down, and while the Laos government said it was "profoundly saddened" by the deaths and vowed to prosecute those responsible, months later, the girls' families are still searching for answers.
In an exclusive interview with 60 Minutes journalist Tara Brown, their parents – Mark and Michelle Jones alongside Sam and Shaun Bowles – said the Laos government has refused to meet with them since the teenagers’ deaths.
“We’ve heard nothing,” Mark said in the interview on Sunday.
"For them not to reach out is, that's just not good enough."
When it came to the Laos government's response, both families felt there was a lack of empathy and accountability.
After the backpacker hostel was shut down and eight staff were detained and released, the investigation has seemingly stalled.
"It seems like a complete cover-up," Mark said, claiming there was a lack of transparency in the investigation.
"We haven't heard anything from the Laos government. Not a thing," Shaun added. "It's appalling."
"The Laos government sent their condolences via the federal police, and that to us means nothing, nothing at all," Shaun continued.
The parents hope that by speaking out about the dangers of methanol poisoning, others will be able to avoid suffering similar tragedies in their own families.
“I cannot have my daughter’s passing not mean anything," Mark said.
"If this gets parents to have a conversation with their kids if they're off travelling, then that's something," Shaun added.
All four parents said they had no confidence the truth could ever be revealed, but they still want justice and answers.
"We want some form of closure," Mark said.
"We want to understand that people who have done wrong by our daughter and Holly and the other people are going to be brought to justice."
Images: Nine/ 60 Minutes